Jane Atterton

The contribution of rural businesses to community resilience

This paper explores the role of private sector enterprises in building the resilience of rural Scotland. In addition, the paper seeks to identify changes in rural enterprise activities and their impact on rural life. The paper is based on quantitative secondary data analysis and two qualitative case studies. These demonstrate how rural enterprises contribute to economic and social development in rural communities and the wider resilience of rural locations. Analysis of the secondary data highlights an increasing contribution by private sector enterprises to overall employment in rural Scotland. The data verify the importance of SMEs and, in particular, micro businesses in rural job creation. They also show the role of rural businesses in increasing the diversification of the local economy and therefore in building wider rural community resilience. The results identify changing employment patterns in rural areas (such as an increasing level of self-employment, part-time and home working and multiple job holding) which might be associated with the capacity to adapt to dynamic changes in the socio-economic environment. Finally, qualitative findings help to further understand how private sector enterprises contribute to the social and environmental resilience of rural Scotland by identifying the role they play in enhancing the quality of life of those living in rural locations. Consequently, the paper makes a substantial and original contribution to existing knowledge and debate on resilience. It uses current data on the characteristics of rural private sector enterprises to identify their economic, social and environmental importance in building the resilience of rural places and their communities.

Determinants of the performance of business associations in rural settlements in the United Kingdom: an analysis of members’ satisfaction and willingness-to-pay for association survival

Research into business associations indicates that many associations suffer from very high levels of inactive members and fail to deliver significant benefits to members. In order to improve provision, the objective of this paper is to understand the determinants that drive or limit performance of rural business associations. Previous research has focused on the ratio of perceived costs to benefits as informing the decision to remain a member. However, in small associations, membership may be more influenced by social norms than the logic of rational choice. Using measures of satisfaction and willingness to pay for association survival as in-group measures of performance this paper finds that (1) for small associations, group size is critical, (2) associations are valued higher in communities where trust is lower, (3) funding by public bodies may be counterproductive to long-term development aims, and (4) the degree of rurality is insignificant in explaining association performance.

Rural enterprise and neo-endogenous development

A ‘neo-endogenous approach’ to rural development explores the inter-relationship between entrepreneurship and its spatial context. Neo-endogenous development is defined as “endogenous-based development in which extra-local factors are recognised and regarded as essential but which retains belief in the potential of local areas to shape their future” (Ray, 2001: 4). The key principle is harnessing local resources, including human and social capital, while also recognising the importance of extra-local influences. Results from a large-scale survey, undertaken by CRE researchers in January 2009, describe the characteristics of rural businesses in the North East region. Building on earlier work by Bosworth (2008; 2009a, b) and Atterton (2005, 2007), analysis draws out the importance of in-migrant business owners in establishing and running rural businesses and the ways in which they differ from locally-born owners. In-migrants are important ‘neo-endogenous facilitators’ drawing new information and knowledge into rural areas through their extra-local networks. However, their contribution to the rural economy depends on their integration and embeddedness within their local community. Drawing on the work of Murdoch (2000: 417) who argues that the network approach is useful as a means of holding the ‘inside’ and the ‘outside’ together in one frame of reference, rural business associations are then viewed as providing such a context and space for the mediation of local and extra-local networks. The chapter contributes to our knowledge of the diversity of entrepreneurial activity across all sectors in rural areas, and highlights the importance of extra-local resources for local development.

Demographics of the ageing rural population

There are perhaps a considerable few among us who dream of retiring to the countryside, to spend our autumn years in a rural idyll. According to Dr Jane Atterton et al, more and more people are doing just that. Based on their research and with international comparisons, this article examines the realities of Englands ageing rural population and explodes a few myths about this demographic groups contribution to rural life.

Planning for the Ageing Countryside in Japan: The Potential Impact of Multi-habitation

Abstract This paper explores how the aspirations of the retiring Japanese ‘baby boomer’ generation are being harnessed by depopulated rural areas as drivers for revival. Drawing upon case studies and key actor interviews undertaken in Hokkaido prefecture, the paper makes three points. Firstly that, as in the UK, the baby boomer generation in Japan is creating opportunities for the regeneration of rural areas. Secondly that proactive local authorities can act as facilitators in meeting both the aspirations of incomers and the growing needs of existing communities. Finally that, by blending the dreams of the rural idyll with the harsher realities of rural life, new, inclusive rural values can be framed that provide a positive strategy for the future survival, and indeed growth, of rural areas.

The Benefits of an Ageing Population: Case Studies from Rural Hokkaido, Japan

This paper explores the strategies employed by Japanese rural municipalities to support growing numbers of older people in the face of dwindling financial and human resources. Drawing on case study research from a study visit made by the authors, the paper considers the social and economic benefits gained by taking a community based approach as seen in Kuriyama and an older-person centred approach to spatial planning as seen in Nanporo. It concludes by considering what lessons rural municipalities in the UK might draw from these approaches.

Sustaining business networks: Understanding the benefit bundles sought by members of local business associations

Local business associations can be important mechanisms for stimulating inter-firm cooperation leading to economic growth and development. However, previous research suggests that the unfulfilled expectations of their members can lead to low participation, high membership churn and network instability over time. As a departure from studies that have explored why local associations supply certain benefits and services, this paper draws on an original, demand side membership survey of local business associations to identify for the first time the bundles of benefits sought by members. Two bundles of benefits (instrumental and info-social) relating to thin and thick models of rational choice, respectively, are identified in explaining why firms join and remain part of associations. The relevance of these bundles to members was found to vary with business profile and length of membership, with the value of instrumental benefits reducing over time, whereas the demand for info-social benefits remained relatively stable. The findings have important implications for local strategies for sustaining business networks.

Mentoring as a mechanism for improvement in local government

This article reports on a scheme to secure improvement in local government using a peer mentoring network. Mentoring promoted learning, and hence improvement, in many of the participating authorities. Mentoring schemes must be carefully designed to achieve positive outcomes—it is essential to have a clear understanding of what mentoring is and how it should be administered, and to involve members and relevant partners of the mentored organization.

Chapter 11 The regenerative power of older migrants? A case study of Hokkaido, Japan

This chapter explores how the retiring Japanese “baby boomer” generation is rethinking the role of later life and potentially provides a new future for depopulated areas in rural Japan. Drawing on a case study of the Hokkaido prefecture, the chapter highlights three points. First, the baby boomer generation in Japan has very different ideas about the meaning of later life, and the spatial implications of these may present opportunities for regeneration. Secondly, hard-pressed rural local authorities are looking to exploit these opportunities to build a new socioeconomic base from the needs and aspirations of older people. Third, the chapter questions what kind of rural futures might be built.