Title: Entrepreneurs as change agents in remote communities: a multi-case study analysis in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Authors: Jacqueline S. Walsh; Heather Hall

Addresses: Technology Start-up Legal Clinic, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, 6061 University Ave., Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada ' School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED), University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

Abstract: Over the last decade, small communities and local economic development have become a focal point of research on entrepreneurship. The contributions of individuals have not gone unnoticed in the creation of economic opportunities through building entrepreneurial communities. Based on two case studies from remote communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, we find that successful entrepreneurs living in small communities can have a special dynamic in their communities and may be responsible for change in various ways and under a variety of contexts. Change may be economic, social, institutional, political, environmental and/or any other nature of transformation that is required to ensure the community in which they chose to live is sustainable and offers a viable standard of living for its residents. We argue that the distinction between social and business entrepreneurs is less pronounced in small communities in isolated regions and that solving social issues necessitates a focus on economic revitalisation.

Keywords: entrepreneur; change agent; remote; rural; entrepreneurial communities; commitment to place; unlocking local; social and business entrepreneurs; local and global networks; disturbing the present; Canada.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2022.124788

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2022 Vol.46 No.4, pp.435 - 449

Received: 19 Sep 2018
Accepted: 02 Sep 2019
Published online: 09 Aug 2022 *

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