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Entrepreneurial Creativity as a Catalyst for Poverty Alleviation  in Tangail District, Bangladesh

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Tasmim Tabassum — Student, Department of Economics, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh.
Dipti Bhowmik — Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh.
Roksana Akhter — Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh.
Published 5 Jun 2026 Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026), pp. 125-136 ● Open access
❝ How to cite 🔗 https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2026.7306
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Abstract

Poverty remains a persistent challenge in Bangladesh, with national rates estimated at  approximately 21.2% by 2025. Despite various interventions, sustainable poverty alleviation  remains hindered by limited formal employment opportunities and low productivity in rural  areas. This study examines the influences of entrepreneurial creativity on job creation,  household income, and multidimensional poverty alleviation among micro-entrepreneurs in  Tangail district. Adopting a mixed-methods approach within a convergent parallel design, the  research was conducted in three upazilas (Tangail Sadar, Basail and Delduar). Data were  collected from 100 micro-entrepreneurs through a structured questionnaire, semi-structured  interviews and focus group discussions. A creativity index was developed from five Likert scale items to quantify entrepreneurial creativity. Quantitative data were analysed using  descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and binary logistic regression, while  qualitative data were thematically analysed according to Braun and Clarke (2006). Results  indicate a moderate level of entrepreneurial creativity (M = 1.99 for Creativity Index). The  Creativity Index has a statistically significant positive effect on employment generation (B =  3.22, p = .008). Binary logit analysis revealed a marginally significant association with higher  family income (marginal effect = +0.14, p < 0.10). In addition, 59% of respondents reported  positive changes in family income, food security, education spending and financial stability.  Creativity levels were highest in Delduar Upazila among the selected areas. The study  concludes that entrepreneurial creativity contributes to poverty alleviation primarily through  job creation rather than direct income gains for the entrepreneur. It recommends creative  thinking training, innovative microfinance, and market linkage programs to strengthen  grassroots entrepreneurship in rural Bangladesh. 

 

KeywordsEntrepreneurial creativity; Poverty alleviation; Micro-entrepreneurship; Employment generation; Tangail district; Mixed methods.

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