Entrepreneurial consulting and development for youthwithin rural areas - A case study for developing north east,central and south east regions

• Author: Marin Burcea - Doru Curteanu - Razvan Mihail Papuc
• Position: Lecturer Ph.D. Bucharest University - Ph.D., Gemba Consult - Professor Ph.D.
• Pages: 149-162

Alexandra Adam • Ioana Moldovan • Simona Hudea

149

LESIJ NO. XVII, VOL. 2/2010

ENTREPRENEURIAL CONSULTING AND DEVELOPMENT

FOR YOUTH WITHIN RURAL

AREAS - A CASE STUDY FOR DEVELOPING NORTH EAST,

CENTRAL AND SOUTH EAST REGIONS

Marin BURCEA*,

Doru CURTEANU**

Razvan Mihail PAPUC***

Abstract

We propose to show the connection between consulting and entrepreneurial approach,

emphasizing the normality of including assistance within the entrepreneurs’ activity. The

theoretical component deals with the elements that define the consulting activity in business and

the specific approach to initiate and develop business by young rural entrepreneurs. The

applicative component is represented by the presentation of the specific consulting needs for

business initiating and development in the rural areas within developing regions of North East,

Central and South East. The undertaken sociological research is representative for the study

group and was held within the SOP HRD strategic project “Rural Manager”.

Keywords: entrepreneurship, entrepreneur, consulting

Introduction

Entrepreneurial consulting and development represents an important resource for business

success, especially for youth from rural areas. From the study made within the strategic project “Rural-

manager” on a target group of 942 people composed of entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs from

rural areas, especially young people, in developing regions of North East, Central and South East and

we shall respond to a series of questions that can guide future efforts to better calibrate the offer of

consulting services and entrepreneurial development. The study used a mix of methods (surveys, focus

groups, brainstorming and depth interviews) to answer the following key questions:

(1) Who needs consulting and in which areas?

(2) What was the degree of satisfaction with these services?

(3) Has the quality of consulting evolved in the last couple of years?

(4) What are the needs of entrepreneurial training and consulting for the future?

1. Business consulting and entrepreneurial development

Business consulting consists of assisting organizations in improving performance by

analyzing the existing problems, developing improvement plans and, in some cases, providing

assistance in implementing those plans. Organizations turn to consultants to obtain more objective

analysis and advice from outside, to have access to the specific expertise of a particular consultant,





* Lecturer Ph.D. Bucharest University

** Ph.D., Gemba Consult

*** Professor Ph.D.