Rural entrepreneurship: foundations and future directions during a time of transformation

This editorial examines entrepreneurship in rural areas, advocating for renewed interest due to global transformations, such as climate change and inequality, that challenge the traditional focus on urban-led economic growth. This article highlights the essential role of rural entrepreneurship in promoting sustainability, creating social value, and building resilience, thereby extending the field beyond mere economic development. We discuss the four articles in this special issue, emphasizing local resourcefulness, embeddedness, diverse value creation, and complex entrepreneurial agency in rural contexts. The editorial concludes with a call for rural entrepreneurship research to address pressing issues, such as regional inequalities, climate concerns, and social justice, while acknowledging the political realities of rural societies.