Rural Local Areas Research Articles

Redefining rural entrepreneurship: The impact of business ecosystems on the success of rural businesses in Extremadura, Spain

PURPOSE: Regarding the growth of public policies fostering rural entrepreneurship, the primary objectives of this work involve examining the concept of rural entrepreneurship, identifying key aspects that differentiate it from non-rural entrepreneurship, and assessing the role of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem in supporting the initiation and growth of rural ventures. To achieve these goals, the study adopts a novel approach by integrating an analysis of rural entrepreneurship features with an exploration of the entrepreneurial ecosystem’s impact. METHODOLOGY: After a review of the previous academic literature, the characteristics of rural entrepreneurship have been delimited, distinguishing it from non-rural. The research results have been obtained using a questionnaire, after a descriptive analysis of the sample, and an analysis of the difference in means by contrasting hypotheses using IBM SPSS Statistics 26. FINDINGS: This article explores the factors that contribute to rural entrepreneurship, challenging the notion that geographic location is the sole defining characteristic. Through the conducted investigation, it has been determined that a company’s classification as rural is not solely based on its geographical location in rural areas or involvement in primary sector activities. Other aspects, such as a strong connection with the local community or the ability to create value, are also essential in defining a rural enterprise. Additionally, it examines how business ecosystems can foster the growth and success of rural entrepreneurship. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides an analysis of how rural entrepreneurship can drive endogenous development in rural areas. It also offers insights for government entities and policymakers to implement effective support measures and strategies in business ecosystems within rural environments. This study highlights that the resources found in rural entrepreneurial ecosystems may not be sufficient to support rural entrepreneurship. It’s important to acknowledge that rural entrepreneurship requires specific resources that may not currently be available in business ecosystems. To increase the number of viable rural businesses, new resources tailored to rural entrepreneurship must be created, leveraging the area’s endogenous resources and growth models. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This study examines the distinctive attributes of rural entrepreneurship, with a deliberate departure from exclusive emphasis on geographical location or primary economic sector. Drawing upon empirical research conducted among a cohort of rural enterprises, the analysis reveals that neither physical location nor primary sector affiliation substantially contribute to the establishment of these rural businesses. Instead, a profound connection to, and a heightened sense of belonging within the rural milieu emerge as pivotal determinants. Furthermore, rural entrepreneurship emerges as a promising avenue for the development of the region, offering substantial growth prospects. The investigation encompasses a scrutiny of the resources within the rural business ecosystem and their capacity to stimulate rural entrepreneurial activity. This emerging focal point represents a novel field of concern for governmental bodies and political institutions operating in rural areas.

Iodine Status of School Children Aged 6 to 12 Years in Rural and Urban Communities in Imo State, Southeast Nigeria

Background: Iodine is a trace element essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which in turn play a crucial role in the growth and development of most organs, especially the brain. Iodine deficiency is therefore a serious medical condition fraught with dire consequences. Median urinary iodine concentrations of 100–199 mcg/L in children and adults, 150–249 mcg/L in pregnant women and >100 mcg/L in lactating women indicate iodine intakes are adequate. Objective: This study set to determine the Iodine status of children aged 6-12 years using MUIC in selected urban and rural communities of Imo state, South East Nigeria. Methods: It was cross sectional in nature and was carried out between July 2018 and January 2019. It involved 386 children aged 6-12 years who were selected from primary schools in both urban and rural local areas within the three educational zones of Imo State. Their urinary Iodine concentration was assayed using Ammonium persulphate technique of the Sandell- Koltkoff reaction method. Results: The median urine iodine concentration (MUIC) in the study participants ranged from 65 – 490 mcg/l with a median of 160mcg/l. While median urine iodine concentrations (MUIC) of 160 mcg/L and 156mcg/L, respectively, were observed in urban-dwelling and rural-dwelling school children respectively. Of the 386 participants, 30 had a MUIC of < 100\(\mu\)g/L therefore giving an iodine deficiency prevalence of 7.8%. They consisted of 14 participants from the urban areas and 16 from the rural areas. The difference between MUIC of children in rural and urban areas of Imo state was not statistically significant . (χ2 = 0.10: p = 0.75). Conclusion: While there was Iodine deficiency prevalence of 7.8%, there was no statistically significant difference between the Iodine status of pupils in urban and rural areas of Imo state.

Characteristics of international primary care practices and physicians related to advance care planning: a cross-sectional survey study

BackgroundPrimary care providers (PCPs) are well-situated to delivery primary palliative care such as advance care planning (ACP). The aim of this work is to identify practice characteristics, including features found in advanced primary care models (APCMs), that predict PCP engagement of patients in ACP.MethodsWe analyzed characteristics of physician respondents and their practices associated with ACP conversations in older and sicker patients using data from 11 countries who participated in the 2015 Commonwealth Fund International Survey of Primary Care Physicians in 10 Nations. The primary outcome was how routinely these ACP conversations are reported. We used a validated measure to describe practice-level characteristics of advanced primary care models. We conducted bivariate and multivariable analyses to determine PCP and practice characteristics associated with routinely engaging patients in ACP and with documenting patient preferences in medical records.ResultsRespondents (N = 12,049) predominantly were older than 45 and did not view their jobs as high stress. PCPs reported routinely engaging patients in ACP work in practices with more APCM features. They are more likely to view their jobs as high stress, to work more hours, to practice in rural areas, and to work in smaller practices. Multivariable analyses showed that older PCP age, higher perceived stress of the job, practice location in rural areas, and increased number of APCM features were associated with more ACP conversations. Increased number of APCM features was also associated with higher odds of routinely recording patient preferences in their medical records.ConclusionsIn this international survey, physician and practice characteristics, including having features associated with APCMs, were associated with whether physicians routinely discuss ACP with patients who are older and sicker. Many features of APCMs may facilitate ACP discussions between PCPs and patients.

Marketing Performance of Smoked Fish Dealers in Rural Areas, Semi-Urban and Urban Areas in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

The study examined e-marketing performance of smoked fish dealers in rural areas, semi-urban and urban areas in Umuahia, Abia State. The specific objectives were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of smoked fish dealers, and ascertain sales volume variances among smoked fish dealers based on location in rural areas, semi-urban and urban areas in Umuahia, Abia State. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The method of data collection entails a survey study conducted by the researcher using the questionnaire as the research’s major instrument. Thus, the total sample size of 75 smoked fish dealers from Ndoro market, Ahiaeke market and Ubani market was all in Umuahia, Abia State. This is necessary so as to obtain reliable quantitative data on sales volume. The data were presented using frequency and percentage, while hypotheses were tested with multiple ANOVA (Univariate) through statistical package for social science (SPSS). The descriptive result showed that most of the respondents 37 (49.4%) sold within 51 – 75 pieces of smoked fish per week followed by 19 (25.4%) and 15 (20.0%) of the respondents who sold above 75 pieces of smoked fish and 26 – 50 pieces of smoked fish per week respectively. More so, 41 (54.7%) of the smoked fish dealers incurred more than ₦30,000 as expenses per week. This was followed by 23 (30.6%) of the respondents with ₦20,001 - ₦30,000 expenses per week. The least were 2.7% of the respondents who incurred within ₦1,000 - ₦10,000 as expenses for fish smoking and marketing. In addition, 55 respondents (75.3%) realized above ₦50,000 per week and 12 (16.0%) respondents realized within ₦30,001 - ₦50,000 in sales of smoked fish per week. From the empirical result, there are no significant variances in sales volume among smoked fish dealers in rural areas, semi-urban and urban areas in Umuahia, Abia State. This recommended that since smoked fish is consumed among the populace residing in rural areas, semi-urban and urban areas, smoked fish dealers can site his/her business at any part of Umuahia since there is no variation in sales volume among dealers in different locations.

ДЕРЖАВНЕ РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ РОЗМІРІВ САНІТАРНО-ЗАХИСНИХ ЗОН ПРИ РОЗМІЩЕННІ СУЧАСНИХ АВТОМОБІЛЬНИХ ЗАПРАВНИХ СТАНЦІЙ НА СЕЛЬБИЩНИХ ТЕРИТОРІЯХ

The work is devoted to the study of hygienic aspects of automobile filling station location in rural areas in modern conditions in order to minimize the negative impact of AFS on health and living conditions of the population. A theoretical generalization of the world experience of gas station design and operation was made. New data on the current ecological and hygienic state of design (location) of modern gas stations in Ukraine and their impact on the environment, health and living conditions of the population. Based on the materials of the work, the hygienic criteria for placing gas stations and their classification have been improved. Classification conditions for the definition of sanitary protection zones for gas stations of different capacity have been developed, which allowed to improve the legal and information-methodological base on hygiene planning and development of settlements in the design of gas stations of different types and capacities and develop a new SPZ standard for gas stations and filling stations. On the basis of the conducted researches the differentiated approach is offered and the procedure of the decision of questions concerning placement of gas stations in the territory of settlements is developed.

Survival Outcomes of Vietnamese People with HIV after Initiating Antiretroviral Treatment: Role of Clinic-Related Factors.

Given the rapid development of HIV clinics in Vietnam, this study evaluates the infrastructure surrounding this expansion, identifying clinic-related factors that impact survival outcomes. A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted among people living with HIV (PLWH) who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 2011 and 2015 among 62 ART clinics in 15 provinces. The mortality rate during the 717674.1 person-years of observation (PYO) was 0.29/100 PYO. Location in rural areas (versus urban) and in Central Vietnam (versus Northern Vietnam) were associated with higher risk of mortality. The risk was lower among clinics that had peer-educators. As Vietnam's HIV/AIDS program continues to expand, this data supports increasing resource allocation for rural clinics, incorporation of ART with the community's existing healthcare infrastructure in its efforts to decentralize, and integration of services to reflect patients' anticipated needs.

Community pharmacists' knowledge, perceptions, and practices about topical corticosteroid counseling: A real-world cross-sectional survey and focus group discussions in Korea.

Topical corticosteroids (TCs) are widely used to treat dermatological conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It can be a safe and effective treatment when used appropriately. However, misguided information and corticosteroid phobia appear to contribute to inadequate adherence to therapy, leading to unsatisfactory treatment outcomes. Therefore, community pharmacists (CPs) are in a prime position to inform patients about the appropriate use of medicine. The aim of this study was to examine how the knowledge and perceptions of CPs, as well as other factors, associate CPs' patient counseling practice around the use of TCs. A structured, validated questionnaire was distributed to CPs in the Republic of Korea, and additional focus group discussions were implemented to obtain a deeper understanding of the survey findings. We analyzed the survey results by applying a modified knowledge-perception-practice model. In addition, we used path analysis to validate the model and assessed how knowledge level and perceptions of barriers affect CPs' counseling behavior. We ran a multiple regression to identify factors that associate CPs' practice levels. A total of 1018 surveys were analyzed. In general, respondents had sufficient knowledge to provide appropriate patient counseling on TC use. An increase in knowledge level positively associated the quality of practice, and more knowledge increased the perception of barriers that negatively associated patient counseling. Location in rural areas and pharmacists' perception of counseling barriers negatively associated the quality of practice. A higher level of knowledge, training in ADEs, higher proportion of OTC TC sales, and increased time for counseling positively associated the quality of practice. Therefore, minimizing barriers such as negative perceptions is very important in facilitating CPs' counseling practice around TC use.

Violent Injuries Among College Students in China: An Exploration of Gender Mental Stress Model.

The purpose of this study was to explore the gender-specific mental stress model of violent injuries among Chinese college students. A cross-sectional, multistage sampling process was employed to recruit a total of 5025 college students from 22 universities in China. Survey respondents reported their exposure to violent injuries and noted individual and environmental factors that could relate to violent injuries. Both unadjusted and adjusted statistical methods were used to examine the relationships between selected individual and environmental variables with violent injuries among male and female college students. The overall prevalence of violent injuries among male and female college students in this study was 4.40% (95% CI [0.10%, 7.80%]) and 5.20% (95% CI [0.05%, 10.35%]). The study found that higher mental stress (OR: 3.32), lower level universities (OR: 5.99), and family location in rural areas (OR: 4.00) were associated with a higher likelihood of violent injuries, and mothers employed as professionals (OR: 0.07) was associated with lower prevalence of violent injuries among male students. Unlike male students, mental stress and mothers’ occupation were not associated with violent injuries among female students. University type was also associated with violent injuries but this association was inverted (OR: 0.06) among female students. This study found gender-specific relationships affecting violent injuries among college students in China. Prevention strategies need to be developed in consideration of gender influences and should be enacted to reduce the negative impact of violent injuries on society and personal health in China.

Optimal sizing and location based on economic parameters for an off-grid application of a hybrid system with photovoltaic, battery and diesel technology

Off-grid solar/diesel systems have been widely utilized in remote and rural settings. Some of the main challenges for solar-diesel energies are determining the appropriate capacity and location in rural areas. Therefore, an efficient framework is needed for using off-grid solar/diesel systems. For the optimal sizing and location of off-grid photovoltaic (PV)-diesel schemes in rural areas, a new framework is proposed. In this framework, a geographic information system module is utilized to identify the best location based on technical, economic, reliability, social, and environmental criteria. Then, a hybrid optimization algorithm is utilized to determine the appropriate capacity for continuously meeting of the load via total life cycle cost minimization. A real case study in South Khorasan is considered, in order to illustrate the proposed framework and its effectiveness. The effectiveness of the applied approach is investigated by comparing the outcomes with the results obtained by other heuristic methods. Also, the impacts are investigated of fuel cost variations, initial PV and battery costs, and interest rate on the economics of the hybrid scheme. The simulation results demonstrate that the hybrid algorithm obtains results that are more accurate (by 14.1%) than other applied algorithms, and show that the use of solar energy with a diesel generator, compared to the diesel only system, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions (by 59.6%) and supply costs (by 22.2%). The results thus demonstrate the benefits of utilizing the proposed framework for the hybrid system. These results are expected to help enhance acceptance and utilization of cleaner production systems.

Integrating Smartphone Network Architecture and Data Security Techniques to Mitigate Sharp Practices in Non-Profit Organizations

Contemporary research is geared towards integrating multidisciplinary domains and targeted to developing robust solutions. This implies that single-discipline solutions most times do not give the desired results. This study intends to apply this concept statement in mitigating the hydra-headed challenge facing the world today called sharp-practice (corruption) which some believe that it is worse than the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The sharp practice is a major challenge in the world today and a threat to the development of any country. Sharp practices range from higher offices of the state institutions to the small offices located in remote and rural local areas. Non-profit Organizations (NPOs) are also affected by sharp practices as the office-bearers of these institutions are constantly misappropriating donors’ funds meant for these facilities for their selfish interests. State and private donors offer a large portion of their resources to NPOs to improve the standard of living of needy people in remote and rural areas. However, most NPOs sited in rural areas do not have systems that can be used to monitor and capture the management of resources. In this paper, we attempt to solve this challenge by proposing the integrating Smartphone Network Architecture (SMA) and Data Security Techniques (DST) to mitigate sharp practices in NPOs. In our approach, a smartphone-mobile app algorithm was developed using JavaScript. The app uses the Least Significant Bits (LSB) method to secretly embed a Date Stamp on a PNG image whenever an event is captured by a secret camera at the NPO’s center. The results showed that the LSB method is the most suitable technique to embed a small-scale secret data on the pixels of a PNG image file. The LSB technique does not require the original cover image for decoding the secret data hidden in the image over the network. From the study, these techniques have shown to improve accountability and alleviate corrupt practices in NPOs.

Delivery of community information service as corporate social responsibility by librarians in Nigerian tertiary institutions

Various scholarly works have reported the absence of library and information services provision to rural dwellers for addressing their information needs for sustainable development. Coupled with this is the absence of community information centers in the rural areas. Thus, a key question that keeps arising is: whose job is it to provide effective community information services (CIS) to rural dwellers in the country? This necessitated the study, with a view to ascertaining if librarians in academic institutions, considering their location in rural areas, are involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by way of providing library and information services in communities? Using four federal tertiary institutions in Imo and Ebonyi states, South East, Nigeria, which are located in rural areas, it was discovered that librarians perceived such idea in the positive direction and also responded positively to the types of CIS that could be rendered as CSR. Possible challenges that may affect the planning and delivery of such CIS programme were also discovered, among which are financial implications, unavailability of communication gadgets and other requisite resources, absence of approval and support from the management of parent institutions, librarians may see such as additional responsibility without financial reward which may lead to resistance, and possible resistance or non-acceptability by leaders and traditional rulers in the communities involved. Recommendations were made for academic librarians to take up provision of CIS as CSR for actualization of sustainable development goals in rural areas in the country.Keywords: community information services, corporate social responsibility, sustainable development goals, librarians

Spatial Determinants of Business Location in Rural Areas

The aim of the discussion in this paper was to identify types of gminas due to the dynamics of enterprise occurrence with respect to the level of socio-economic development. Four types of gminas were described, namely: sustainably developing, unstably developing, slowly developing ones as well as those immune to deve lopment. As a result of statistical analysis it was found out that the spatial distribution of the number of enterprises is not determined by the level of socio-economic development, which was confirmed by low correlation and low value of determination coefficient for the linear model. A low dynamics of enterprises’ development in northern Poland, and in the border gminas in the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country was noted. The map of types (models) of socio-economic development of Poland shows polarization. There is a clear division between gminas characterized by stable development, which are located mainly in the western and southern Poland, and the gminas featuring unstable development, which are located predominantly in the eastern part of Poland.

The 6-item Kessler psychological distress scale to survey serious mental illness among Chinese undergraduates: Psychometric properties and prevalence estimate

ObjectiveTo evaluate the psychometric properties of the 6-item Kessler psychological distress scale (K6) in screening for serious mental illness (SMI) among undergraduates in a major comprehensive university in China. MethodThe K6 was self-completed by 8289 randomly sampled participants. A group of them (n=222) were re-assessed using K6 and interviewed using the Chinese version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.1 (CIDI-3.1). ResultsThe test–retest reliability of the K6 scale was 0.79, the Cronbach's alpha was 0.84, and its area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) for diagnosing CIDI-3.1 SMI was 0.85 (95% CI=0.80–0.90). For the optimal cut-off of K6 (12/13), the sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and classification accuracy (AC) were 0.83, 0.79, 0.60, 0.93, and 0.80, respectively. The 12-month prevalence of SMI was estimated as 3.97% using this optimal cut-off. Binary logistic regression analysis (including gender, ethnicity, grade, number of siblings and family residency location) showed that only family residency location in rural areas compared to urban areas was significantly associated with more SMI. ConclusionsThis study documented the value of using the K6 for detecting SMI in Chinese undergraduate populations and supported its cross-cultural reliability and validity.

A multivariate analysis of the energy intensity of sprawl versus compact living in the U.S. for 2003

We explore the energy intensity of sprawl versus compact living by analyzing the total energy requirements of U.S. households for the year 2003. The methods used are based on previous studies on energy cost of living. Total energy requirement is calculated as a function of individual energy intensities of goods and services derived from economic input–output analysis and expenditures for those goods and services. We use multivariate regression analysis to estimate patterns in household energy intensities. We define sprawl in terms of location in rural areas or in areas with low population size. We find that even though sprawl-related factors account for about 83% of the average household energy consumption, sprawl is only 17–19% more energy intensive than compact living based on how people actually lived. We observe that some of the advantages of reduced direct energy use by people living in high density urban centers are offset by their consumption of other non-energy products. A more detailed analysis reveals that lifestyle choices (household type, number of vehicles, and family size) that could be independent of location play a significant role in determining household energy intensity. We develop two models that offer opportunities for further analysis.

Living with dementia in rural and remote Scotland: Diverse experiences of people with dementia and their carers

There is a lack of research into people's experiences of using services as dementia sufferers themselves, or because they care for someone with dementia, in rural areas. This article explores their experiences in the context of rural Scotland, drawing on data gathered from both people with dementia and their carers. Our research suggests that understanding the nuanced and co-constituted experience of dementia in rural communities is a pre-requisite for improving service provision. The paper explores the way in which participants linked their experiences to their spatial location in rural areas. Our findings suggest that participants used a narrative of idealised rurality which linked together interwoven and overlapping social networks, a physical relationship with place and a sense of self sufficiency. However, the participants’ stories also highlighted the diversity in experiences as service users between places, suggesting a disjunction between the generalising narrative of the rural idyll and their particular situations. These findings extend the literature on rural mental health issues and on the experience of dementia in particular, in turn helping to inform place and person centred policies.

Culling of lynxes Lynx lynx related to livestock predation in a heterogeneous landscape

Lynx Lynx lynx hunting in Norway is regulated through regional quotas according to the magnitude of predation on semi‐domesticated reindeer Rangifer tarandus and domestic sheep Oves aries. Lynxes and semi‐domesticated reindeer were studied using telemetry in an area in Nord‐Trøndelag County, Norway, with high lynx predation on reindeer and domestic sheep and a high hunting pressure on lynxes. The probability of an ungulate killed by lynxes being livestock as opposed to a roe deer (the only alternative wild ungulate) increased with increasing distance from fields (P < 0.0001) and roads (P < 0.0001). Hunting was the only mortality cause found for radiocollared lynxes. The culling of lynxes was biased towards the vicinity of roads and cultivated fields compared with the general distribution of radiocollared lynxes (P < 0.001) and radio‐collared semi‐domesticated reindeer killed by lynxes (P < 0.001). Because of the easy location in rural areas due to the well‐developed road system, lynxes suffered the highest hunting mortality in habitats where the proportion of livestock in the diet was lowest, whereas lynxes inhabiting alpine areas more than 3 km from the nearest road escaped hunting. The hunters' preference for hunting lynxes near roads leads to a risk of selective reduction in regions and habitats where lynxes do little harm, whereas numbers in remote areas with high predation on livestock may remain unaltered.

Exposing "A Revisit to Kaihsienkung"

The following "exposé" was written by Fei Hsiao-t'ung's assistants on his research trip to Kaihsienkung. In it they admit that a certain amount and kind of decentralization of industry and its location in rural areas may have advantages, but they point out that many other considerations must be weighed as well. They proceed to criticize Fei's model of "rural industry" on the basis of a number of more or less concrete points, and on the basis of his use of statistics. At a somewhat more theoretical level, they argue that Fei's major error was failing to pay proper attention in his original study to the importance of class differentiation and struggle.

The Old-New Distinction and Immigrants in Australia

The old-new theory of differences between European groups in their adaptation and assimilation in the United States is applied to the large-scale immigration in Australia after World War 11. Since Australia, unlike the United States, first received sizable numbers of many northwestern and southeastern European groups at the same time, it is possible to test the validity of the theory when the groups are established at comparable periods in a society otherwise similar to the United States. As many as 9 old and 19 new groups are studied in terms of 14 indicators of work force characteristics, spatial segregation, amalgamation, and social problems. With the exceptions of urban segregation, location in rural areas, and intermarriage, the Mann-Whitney test fails to support the hypothesis when extraneous factors such as length of residence and age distributions of the groups are taken into account through standardization. These findings suggest both severe limitations in the generality of the old-new theory as well as the possibility that much of the old-new variance in the United States reflected differences in the groups' timing of arrival rather than cultural differences.