Leveraging Ecological Culture for Business Innovation in Rural Landscape Conservation and Economic Growth

Abstract

The incorporation of ecological culture into business innovation is increasingly recognised as transformative in promoting the preservation of rural landscapes and stimulating economic development. Environmental issues—such as the contamination of water sources, degradation of soil quality, and air pollution—alongside socio-economic barriers, often hinder business initiatives at the grassroots level. Consequently, ecological culture emerges as a critical strategy for advancing sustainable economic practices in rural settings. This research investigates the influence of ecological culture on driving innovation in rural business contexts. It further evaluates the economic outcomes associated with embedding ecological principles into the conservation of rural landscapes, and critically analyses both the obstacles and prospects linked to the adoption of ecological culture-oriented business models aimed at fostering rural economic advancement. A systematic literature review (SLR) approach was adopted, synthesising existing academic contributions to examine the interrelationship among ecological culture, rural business innovation, and economic growth. The analysis centred on scholarly journal articles, conference proceedings, and academic publications released post-2017, utilising a set of pre-established keywords alongside specific inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure relevance and rigour. The results reveal that ecological culture contributes positively to sustainable economic strategies by facilitating the development of sectors such as agribusiness, eco-tourism, and strategic landscape planning. Despite notable impediments—primarily financial and technological limitations—the study identifies significant potential for ecological advancements within rural economies. The integration of ecological culture into rural business operations presents a viable route to achieving sustainable economic development while concurrently safeguarding environmental and cultural heritage. Addressing current limitations through supportive policy frameworks and active community involvement can pave the way for unlocking further economic opportunities in rural contexts.