"Why villagers stay put – A structural equation model on staying intentions". (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dufhues, Thomas; Möllers, Judith; Traikova, Diana; Buchenrieder, Gertrud; Runschke, David
• Is Part Of: Journal of rural studies. Volume 81(2021)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Central Asia -- Kazakhstan -- Migration -- Non-migration -- Theory of Planned behaviour -- Partial least square modelling; Sociology, Rural -- Periodicals; Country life -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Periodicals; Land use, Rural -- Planning -- Periodicals; Rural conditions -- Periodicals; Sociologie rurale -- Périodiques; Vie rurale -- Périodiques; Développement rural -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation agricole du -- Planification -- Périodiques; Conditions rurales -- Périodiques; Country life; Land use, Rural -- Planning; Rural conditions; Rural development; Sociology, Rural; Periodicals; 307.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.10.054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0743-0167

Abstract

Abstract: While the rural exodus dominates public and scientific debates, considerably less attention has been given to studying why the overwhelming majority of people worldwide remain immobile. As a consequence of this, the reasons why people stay, especially in economically weaker rural areas, are still not fully understood. This paper aims to contribute to closing this gap by addressing the question of why rural people stay put despite inter-regional welfare. Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) we model staying intentions of villagers in rural Kazakhstan, where many people leave toward urban areas. Our model focuses on staying behaviour, but explicitly includes the leave option as the alternative to staying, as well as both staying and leaving barriers. We apply a cutting edge partial least square structural equation model. Our study reveals the existence of an interaction between staying and leaving barriers. Thus, any policies reducing rural-urban migration barriers have a multiplier effect as people view staying as comparatively more difficult when leaving becomes easier. We further show that existing positive narratives of urban life weaken staying intentions. However, the strongest factor slowing rural exodus is not related to the rural economy, but to the future prossspects of children, including access to high-quality educational institutions in close proximity. Highlights: The rural exodus dominates public debates; less attention is given to studying why the majority of people remain immobile. Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour we model staying intentions of villagers with a structural equation model. Our study reveals the existence of an interaction between staying and leaving barriers. The reduction of migration barriers has a multiplier effect; people view staying more difficult when leaving becomes easier. Factors slowing rural exodus are future perspectives for children and access to educational institutions in close proximity.