Conceptualising rural migrant entrepreneurship: Lessons from Kosovo

Migrants contribute to their origin countries not only through monetary remittances but also by transferring ideas and practices, which can drive development, social change and entrepreneurial activity. These tangible and intangible resources hold immense potential to transform rural communities, where entrepreneurship is a critical pathway to economic growth. Research indicates that migrants, including returnees, are more likely to become entrepreneurs than other population groups. Additionally, remittances are not only a source of investment but also inspire local entrepreneurial initiatives. However, despite growing scholarly interest in rural entrepreneurship, few studies examine how migrant-driven entrepreneurship unfolds in rural contexts. This study fills this gap by adopting an exploratory and conceptual approach to examine the interplay between remittances, migration and rural entrepreneurship. Drawing on qualitative insights from Kosovo, it investigates the motivations, constraints and characteristics of rural migrant entrepreneurs. The findings highlight the role of both financial and knowledge-based remittances in fostering entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the study introduces a tentative typology of rural migrant entrepreneurs, distinguishing between classical entrepreneurs, social change–driven innovators and home-focused business owners. By advancing the conceptualisation of rural migrant entrepreneurship, this research lays the groundwork for future studies and policy interventions to leverage migration for rural economic transformation.