RESEARCH ON THE IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION PROCESS OF RURAL FEMALE HOMESTAY OWNERS: A CASE STUDY OF SHENNONGJIA

GAN Xue-na; HU An-an; XIANG Yi

doi:10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2026.03.004

PDF(4683 KB)

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (3) : 36-45. DOI: 10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2026.03.004

SOCIETY

RESEARCH ON THE IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION PROCESS OF RURAL FEMALE HOMESTAY OWNERS: A CASE STUDY OF SHENNONGJIA

GAN Xue-na, HU An-an, XIANG Yi

Author information +

History +

Abstract

With the development of rural tourism and homestays, increasing numbers of women are choosing to settle in rural areas to establish new careers and identities. Studying the identity construction of rural female homestay owners can enrich the theory of identity construction from a gender perspective. This research focuses on rural female homestay owners in Shennongjia and employs qualitative methods such as participant observation and in-depth interviews to construct a three-stage model of their identity construction process: identity reconstruction, identity balance, and identity recognition. The research finds that the identity crisis and identity needs arising from the villagers' and femal identities drive the expansion of the homestay owners' identity under the joint influence of identity opportunities. Through the integration of multiple roles as "mother and wife," "villager," and "business operator" within a multi-dimensional space, female homestay owners achieve identity balance. Self-identity and social-identity are important indicators for successfully constructing the identity of rural female homestay owners. The research provides an empirical framework for gender studies in rural tourism and has practical implications for optimizing policies for women's entrepreneurship, activating endogenous development in rural areas and promoting rural revitalization.

Key words

rural tourism / female homestay owners / identity construction / Grounded Theory

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

GAN Xue-na, HU An-an, XIANG Yi. RESEARCH ON THE IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION PROCESS OF RURAL FEMALE HOMESTAY OWNERS: A CASE STUDY OF SHENNONGJIA[J]. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY. 2026, 41(3): 36-45 https://doi.org/10.13959/j.issn.1003-2398.2026.03.004

References

[1] Chen Z, Barcus H R. The rise of home-returning women's entrepreneurship in China's rural development:Producing the enterprising self through empowerment, cooperation, and networking[J]. Journal of Rural Studies, 2024, 105:103156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jrurstud.2023.103156.
[2] Tucker H, Boonabaana B. A critical analysis of tourism, gender and poverty reduction[J]. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2012, 20(3):437-455.
[3] 林茂,杨振之,蔡克信.乡村旅游促进民族地区返乡女性高质量就业的现实困境与政策思考[J].民族学刊,2023,14(11):65-74.[Lin Mao, Yang Zhenzhi, Cai Kexin. Enhancing high-quality employment opportunities through rural tourism for returned migrant women in ethnic minority regions:Challenges and policy suggestions[J]. Journal of Ethnology, 2023,14(11):65-74.]
[4] 吴吉林,刘帅,刘水良,等.张家界农户乡村旅游脆弱性评价与影响因素[J].地理科学,2020,40(8):1336-1344.[Wu Jilin, Liu Shuai, Liu Shuiliang, et al. Vulnerability assessment and influencing factors of farmers towards rural tourism in Zhangjiajie[J]. Scientia Geographica Sinica, 2020,40(8):1336-1344.]
[5] Luo W, Timothy D J, Zhong C, et al. Influential factors in agrarian households'engagement in rural tourism development[J]. Tourism Management Perspectives, 2022,44:101009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.101009.
[6] Nath K, Dwivedi R. Tribal women's work-life balance:An identitybased approach[J]. Gender in Management:An International Journal, 2021,36(4):482-497.
[7] 张敬伟,李琪琪,靳秀娟.中国农村女性创业者的身份构建过程研究[J].管理学报,2022,19(5):656-665.[Zhang Jingwei, Li Qiqi, Jin Xiujuan. Research on the identity construction process of Chinese rural female entrepreneurs[J]. Chinese Journal of Management,2022,19(5):656-665.]
[8] 郑广怀,赵培浩.沟通权力:困境女性创造乡村公共价值的深层逻辑——以湖南省长沙市"芙蓉花开"公益项目为个案[J].妇女研究论丛,2022(4):57-70.[Zheng Guanghuai, Zhao Peihao. Communicative power:In-depth investigation of vulnerable rural women creating public value based on the case of "blossoming hibiscus" project in Changsha City Hunan Province[J]. Journal of Chinese Women's Studies, 2022(4):57-70.]
[9] 牛强,付文琪,张浩,等.面向"家地关系"的大数据家庭识别方法及其应用框架[J].地理学报,2025,80(4):937-955.[Niu Qiang, Fu Wenqi,Zhang Hao, et al. An identification method for family based on mobile phone location big data and its application framework in familyenvironment relationship research[J]. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2025,80(4):937-955.]
[10] Chen P, Zhang M, Wang Y. The Chinese new middle class and their production of an'authentic'rural landscape in China's gentrified villages[J]. Geoforum, 2023, 144:103793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2023.103793.
[11] 黄和平,邴振华.民宿文化微空间的游客感知多维分异与地方认同研究——以上海地区为例[J].地理研究,2021,40(7):2066-2085.[Huang Heping, Bing Zhenhua. Study on the multi-dimensional differentiation of tourists'cultural perception and local identity in homestay micro-space:Take Shanghai as an example[J]. Geographical Research, 2021,40(7):2066-2085.]
[12] Giazitzoglu A, Down S. Performing entrepreneurial masculinity:An ethnographic account[J]. International Small Business Journal,2017,35(1):40-60.
[13] 叶竹馨,黄苏逸豪,陈煊.基于元分析的女性创业企业绩效及其差异性来源研究[J].管理学报, 2025, 22(2):306-315.[Ye Zhuxin,Huang Suyihao, Chen Xuan. A meta-analysis study on the firm performance founded by female entrepreneurs and the sources of their differences[J]. Chinese Journal of Management, 2025, 22(2):306-315.]
[14] 刘昕怡,符肖,罗子渔,等.话语、权力与性别:中国女性背包客的身份建构[J].旅游学刊,2023,38(7):128-142.[Liu Xinyi, Fu Xiao,Luo Ziyu, et al. Discourse, power, and gender:The identity construction of chinese female backpackers[J]. Tourism Tribune, 2023,38(7):128-142.]
[15] Quang T D, Tran N, Sthapit E, et al. Beyond the homestay:Women's participation in rural tourism development in Mekong Delta, Vietnam[J]. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 2024, 24(4):499-514.
[16] Persson K, Zampoukos K, Ljunggren I. No (wo) man is an islandsocio-cultural context and women's empowerment in Samoa[J].Gender Place and Culture, 2022,29(4):482-501.
[17] 潘燕萍,巫洁雯,刘晓斯,等.中国改革开放以来女性企业家精神的内涵与演化——制度视角下的扎根理论研究[J].管理案例研究与评论,2025,18(1):137-160.[Pan Yanping, Wu Jiewen, Liu Xiaosi,et al. Connotation and evolution of female entrepreneurship since China's reform and opening-up:A study on grounded theory from an institutional perspective[J]. Journal of Management Case Studies, 2025,18(1):137-160.]
[18] Lundborg P, Plug E, Rasmussen A W. Can women have children and a career?IV evidencefrom IVF treatments[J]. American Economic Review, 2017,107(6):1611-1637.
[19] Mirchandani K. Feminist insight on gendered work:New directions in research on women and entrepreneurship[J]. Gender, Work, and Organization, 1999,6(4):224-235.
[20] 王飞绒,庞晓霞.不同创业阶段创业女性工作家庭冲突的平衡模式研究[J].浙江工业大学学报(社会科学版),2012(2):180-184,225.[Wang Feirong, Pang Xiaoxia. Balance modes of work-family conflict of women entrepreneurs in different business stages[J].Journal of Zhejiang University of Technology (Social Science), 2012(2):180-184,225.]
[21] 赵梦晗,廖凯頔.经济体制改革背景下的"母职惩罚"效应——基于动态视角的分析[J].人口学刊,2024,46(4):24-36.[Zhao Menghan, Liao Kaidi. A dynamic analysis on the motherhood penalty during economic transition in China[J]. Population Journal, 2024,46(4):24-36.]
[22] 江求川,代亚萍.照看子女、劳动参与和灵活就业:中国女性如何平衡家庭与工作[J].南方经济,2019(12):82-99.[Jiang Qiuchuan,Dai Yaping. Child care, labor force participation and flexible employment:How do chinese mother balance family and work?[J].South China Journal of Economics, 2019(12):82-99.]
[23] Su M M, Wang M, Wall G, et al. Gender equality in a Chinese rural tourism destination:Perspectives of females and males[J]. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2025,33(7):1449-1475.
[24] Wu Z, Ma J. Chinese rural residents'identity construction with tourism intervention[J]. Tourism Management Perspectives, 2024, 51:101218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2024.101218.
[25] 王晔安,潘莉,郑广怀.双向赋权:乡村弱势女性与草根社会组织之间的共生机制[J].妇女研究论丛,2023(3):20-31.[Wang Yean,Pan Li, Zheng Guanghuai. Two-way empowerment:A mechanism of mutual growth between disadvantaged rural women and grassroots social organizations[J]. Journal of Chinese Women's Studies,2023(3):20-31.]
[26] Movono A, Dahles H. Female empowerment and tourism:A focus on businesses in a Fijian village[J]. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 2017,22(6):681-692.
[27] Ponting S S, Yu H C, Lee L, et al. What really matters:An exploratory sequential mixed-method study of women's hospitality professional identities[J]. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 2023,35(11):3883-3902.
[28] 陈燕妮.近10年国外女性创业研究回顾[J].妇女研究论丛,2012(6):100-106.[Chen Yanni. Foreign women's entrepreneurship research review and future directions[J]. Journal of Chinese Women's Studies, 2012(6):100-106.]
[29] Jennings J E, And Brush C G. Research on women entrepreneurs:Challenges to (and from) the broader entrepreneurship literature?[J]. The Academy of Management Annals, 2013,7(1):663-715.
[30] Uzuegbunam I, Pathak S, Taylor-Bianco A, et al. How cultural tightness interacts with gender in founding teams:Insights from the commercialization of social ventures[J]. Journal of Business Venturing, 2021,36(4):106127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2021.106127.
[31] 李志刚,孔海璞,宫舒文,等.生育归来再出发:女性裂变创业者身份构建过程研究[J].南方经济, 2023(8):153-168.[Li Zhigang,Kong Haipu, Gong Shuwen, et al. Return from fertility and restart through entrepreneurship:Research on the identity construction process of female spin-off entrepreneurs[J]. South China Journal of Economics, 2023(8):153-168.]
[32] Magri-Harsich G, Fusté-FornéF, Fernandes C, et al. Artisanal food production in rural Argentina:Finding solace in cheese tourism?[J].International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 2024, 35:100888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgfs.2024.100888.
[33] Xiong W, Chen S, Okumus B, et al. Gender stereotyping and its impact on perceived emotional leadership in the hospitality industry:A mixed-methods study[J]. Tourism Management, 2022,90:104476.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2021.104476.