Determinants of non-farm entrepreneurial intentions in a transitional context: Evidence from rural Bulgaria

Motivated by the regional imbalances and the long-lasting trends of low incomes, unemployment and depopulation in many of Europe's rural areas, this research delves into rural non-farm entrepreneurship as a potential way out. Up to now scholars from the field of entrepreneurial research have mostly investigated urban dwellers from developed economies. This work focuses on Bulgaria - a country, which recently underwent the difficult path of transition from a centralized to market economy. Although already a member of the European Union, it still struggles to overcome the connections mentality, inherited from communist times. Corrupt practices continue to shape the everyday economic choices and behavioural economics research should account for this aspect when trying to understand business creation. Making a step in this direction, this study seeks to identify the relevant factors influencing the formation of intentions to start a rural non-farm business. [...]