Improving the entrepreneurial ability of rural migrant workers returning home in China: Study based on 5,675 questionnaires

Innovation and entrepreneurship are vital to economic and social development. With China’s rural revitalization strategy and improved village investment conditions, increasing numbers of migrant workers are returning home to start businesses. This paper integrates eight internal personal factors and eight external environmental factors into an entrepreneurial ability assessment index system and uses a combined SWOT and AHP approach to prioritize influences on the entrepreneurial ability of returning migrant workers based on 5,675 questionnaires. Findings: (1) Influences divide into individual (internal) and external environmental factors. (2) Among internal factors, technical experience and business management ability are the main influences. (3) Among external factors, opportunities from industrial structure adjustment and low industrial technology content have higher influence. The study proposes policy recommendations to improve entrepreneurial ability and provides a methodological reference for scholars and policymakers.

Yan Lu, Yuqi Zhou, Pengling Liu