Entrepreneuring with sense: financial well-being and structural challenges of rural female entrepreneurship
Female entrepreneurship in rural areas is crucial for sustainable territorial development, but it also faces challenges such as gender inequalities, educational gaps, and structural barriers. This article, based on the progress of the FIDER_Rural project, funded by the Rural UOC Network’s Rural Research Accelerator, explores the context and factors influencing the relationships among economic well-being, financial literacy, and strategic decision-making among rural women entrepreneurs in Spain. It addresses five key areas: personal entrepreneurial experiences; the impact of financial education; structural barriers (digital, cultural, and resource access); specific training needs; and a broader view of financial well-being, including autonomy and sustainability. Using a qualitative, multidimensional approach, the study combines recent research, direct testimonials, and institutional best practices. It concludes with proposals for developing public policies, tailored training programmes aligned with local needs, and support networks that recognize rural female entrepreneurship as a driver of economic transformation, social cohesion, and territorial justice.
SDG
Sílvia Rodríguez-Donaire She is a lecturer in the Economics and Business Studies Department at the UOC and a member of the SUMAT (Sustainability, Management and Transport) research group. Her teaching and research focus on innovation and business sustainability, with a particular emphasis on the aeronautical and digital finance sectors. She has supervised numerous undergraduate and master’s theses, actively participates in competitive research projects, and serves as a reviewer for international journals in management, innovation and sustainability.
Laura Lamolla She holds a PhD in Political Science and Public Administration from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She has a master degree in International Management from the Community of European Management Schools and a bachelor and MBA from ESADE Business School. She is an associate professor in the Economics and Business Studies department at the UOC. Her research interests focus primarily on gender issues in business and working time.
Athina SismanidouShe holds a PhD in Business Administration, has published prominent research in the field of sustainable aviation, and is a member of the SUMAT (Sustainability, Management and Transport) research group. She is a lecturer in the Economics and Business Studies department at the UOC, specializing in corporate finance, sustainability and transport.
Pere Suau-SanchezHe is a Professor in the Department of Economics and Business and at the Research Centre for Digital Transformation and Governance at the UOC, where he also coordinates the SUMAT (Sustainability, Management and Transport) research group. Pere Suau-Sanchez is a member of the editorial board of the journal Nature Scientific Reports and has published more than 50 high-impact articles.
