STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR RURAL ENTREPRENEURIAL RESILIENCE: A TALENT DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR POST-PANDEMIC INCLUSIVE GROWTH

Abstract

Rural entrepreneurship has emerged as a critical driver of post-pandemic economic recovery, yet its success fundamentally depends on the availability, development, and retention of human capital. This conceptual article bridges human resource management (HRM) theory with rural development economics to address a critical gap: how rural enterprises can build entrepreneurial resilience through strategic human resource practices despite geographic, institutional, and resource constraints. Synthesizing evidence from 20 Scopus Q1 journal articles published between 2021-2026, we identify three core findings. First, rural firms face distinct HRM challenges including thin labor markets, skill mismatches, and limited access to formal training institutions, yet they leverage informal networks and community embeddedness as compensatory mechanisms. Second, talent development in rural contexts requires context-sensitive approaches that combine digital upskilling with place-based retention strategies, including career pathing aligned with rural lifestyle preferences. Third, entrepreneurial resilience—the capacity to absorb, adapt, and transform in response to shocks—is mediated by HRM practices that foster psychological capital, knowledge sharing, and adaptive leadership. We propose the RETAIN Framework (Recruitment adapted to rural contexts, Embeddedness through community ties, Training via blended digital-local delivery, Advancement through non-traditional pathways, Inclusion of diverse talent pools, and Network-enabled learning) as a strategic guide for rural entrepreneurs, development practitioners, and policymakers. The framework contributes to HRM literature by extending strategic human capital theory to resource-constrained rural settings and offers actionable implications for building entrepreneurial ecosystems that prioritize people before infrastructure.