Return and work in rural areas among youth: the roles of local infrastructure and entrepreneurial opportunity

Purpose A high-quality workforce plays an important role in rural development. However, many well-educated rural-born youths migrate to urban centers in search for better economic opportunity or living standard due to the socio-economic underdevelopment and a lack of good employment opportunity in rural areas. This migration potentially hampers economic activities in these areas. Therefore, encouraging these youth to return and work is important, demanding the attention of local governments. Accordingly, this research aims to examine the role of local infrastructure and entrepreneurial opportunity in enhancing their return-and-work intention. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from rural-born students studying in urban areas. The quantitative analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling, supplemented by qualitative methods. Findings Local infrastructure is positively associated with entrepreneurial opportunity and return-to-work intention. Furthermore, entrepreneurial opportunity is positively linked to return-to-work intention. These results indicate the mediating roles of entrepreneurial opportunity in the effects of local infrastructure on return-to-work intention. Practical implications This research offers policy implications for policymakers and local governments in developing countries, emphasizing the important roles of local infrastructure, and entrepreneurial opportunity. This can encourage well-educated rural-born youth to return and work in rural areas, thereby contributing to fostering rural development and revitalizing rural communities. Originality/value This research represents one of the early attempts to explore the complex relationships among local infrastructure, entrepreneurial opportunity and return-to-work intention in rural areas among well-educated rural-born youth.