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Are rural entrepreneurs really happy? Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Xuedong Liang

    (Sichuan University)

  • Wanting Fu

    (Sichuan University)

  • Letian Ren

    (Sichuan University)

  • Peng Luo

    (Sichuan University)

Abstract

Does social influence impact rural entrepreneurship, and are rural entrepreneurs happier? To provide initial insights, we conducted a literature review on happiness and rural entrepreneurship using secondary data from the China Land Economics Survey (CLES), encompassing 2,395 farmers residing in 52 administrative villages. Grounded in the socio-cultural context of rural China, this paper employs the social capital theory to investigate the effect of social influence on rural entrepreneurship and the effect of rural entrepreneurship on happiness while also considering the moderating role of entrepreneurial failure experience. The findings underscore the noteworthy positive impact of social capital on rural entrepreneurship and, concurrently, the significant positive effect of rural entrepreneurship on happiness. Meanwhile, entrepreneurial failure experience moderates the above two pathways. This paper has crucial theoretical implications for enhancing and developing related theories of happiness, as well as providing practical insights to inform government policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuedong Liang & Wanting Fu & Letian Ren & Peng Luo, 2025. "Are rural entrepreneurs really happy? Evidence from China," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 74(2), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:74:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s00168-025-01394-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-025-01394-2
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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