Role of entrepreneurship in regional development in the haor region of Bangladesh: a trajectory equifinality model analysis of local entrepreneurs

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationships between social capital, empowerment, and technology adoption in an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the haor region of Bangladesh by introducing Trajectory Equifinality Modeling (TEM) to the case studies of male and female entrepreneurs. The results of the TEM analysis clarified that social capital is critically important both for male and female entrepreneurs, and education is more important to women for empowerment and technology adoption in the haor region of Bangladesh. Although entrepreneurial activities have greatly improved the region’s economic situation, performances among social groups significantly differ due to the level and quality of social capital and technology adoption. Therefore, our policy implication suggests the government should pay more attention to the socio-political transformation through social innovation and entrepreneurship along with economic growth. Specifically, it is important to empower women by providing them access to productive resources such as land, and official trade licenses for businesses and creating a safe environment to work outside.