Soroush Fakharian Kashani, Ozra Javanbakht, Sedighe Hashemi Bonab,
Volume 14, Issue 54 (Winter 2026)
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the role of networking of funds supporting the development of agricultural activities in improving the income level of rural and nomadic women entrepreneurs in Urmia County.
Methods: The statistical population of the research is rural and nomadic women who are members of the microcredit fund in Urmia County. Using the Krejci and Morgan table, 182 of them were selected as the study sample. The required data was obtained by filling out the questionnaire using random sampling method. To achieve the study's goal, according to the nature of the dependent variable, which is defined as a binary variable (one for incomes higher and zero for incomes lower than the average income of the selected sample), the logit model was used. The independent variables of the model include social, educational-promotional, organizational, supra-organizational, psychological, infrastructure and supporting, political-legal, and monitoring factors, which are proposed as networking components. Finally, after estimating the logit model using EVIWES software, the marginal effects and elasticities of each independent variable were calculated using the estimated coefficients of the model.
Results: The results obtained from estimating the logit model showed that the variables of educational-promotional, monitoring, infrastructure and support, organizational, political-legal, psychological and supra-organizational factors as networking components have a significant and positive effect on the income level of women members of support funds, and social factors do not have a significant effect. Based on the calculated elasticities, with a one percent improvement in each of the mentioned factors, the income of women members of the fund will increase by 0.84, 0.9, 0.75, 0.66, 0.43, 0.92, and 0.50 percent, respectively. Also, the marginal effects showed that with a one-unit improvement in the mentioned factors, the income of rural and nomadic women increases with a probability of 0.52, 0.63, 0.44, 0.31, 0.27, 0.50, and 0.39 percent, respectively.
Conclusions: Prioritizing the impact of networking components on increasing the income of women members of support funds in Urmia County based on both elasticity and marginal effects showed that the impact of psychological, monitoring, and educational-promotional factors is greater than other components, and political and legal factors have the least impact. Therefore, efforts to improve these factors through providing educational and promotional services and holding business skill courses can be effective in the financial and economic empowerment of rural and nomadic women.
Moslem Ghasemi, Saeedeh Fakhari, Ehsan Jafari,
Volume 15, Issue 55 (Spring 2026)
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to identify the key local drivers influencing tourism development in Ferdows County, Iran, with a future-oriented perspective toward the 1414 Horizon (2035).
Methods: The research is applied in purpose and employs a mixed-methods design. The study population consisted of tourism experts, managers, and stakeholders in Ferdows County. Using snowball sampling and the principle of theoretical saturation, 30 experts were selected for the qualitative phase. Data were collected through structured interviews and a futures studies cross-impact questionnaire. The identified drivers were analyzed using the MICMAC structural analysis model.
Results: The results revealed fifteen local drivers affecting tourism development. Among these, the most influential drivers were social security and safety in tourism destinations and attractions (+15), promotion and preservation of indigenous handicrafts (+11), development of local tourism infrastructure (+7), branding and marketing of local tourism products (+7), preservation of historical assets and cultural heritage (+5), and tourism investment and financial support (+1).
Conclusions: By adopting a futures studies approach, this research provides a comprehensive assessment of both local and extra-local factors affecting tourism development. The findings offer strategic insights for policymakers and tourism planners seeking to enhance the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of tourism in Ferdows County.
