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Layla Barfizadeh, Mansour Ghanian, Moslem Savari,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Rural production cooperatives in the world have more than 250 million members, which have created many successes in the world agricultural sector in the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Israel and Germany, where 32% of the global market share of the agricultural sector belongs to cooperatives. In this regard, rural production cooperatives are considered an effective factor in the agricultural sector. Considering the fact that every cooperative is born to achieve specific goals.
Cooperative companies play a role in the fields of economic growth, poverty alleviation, productive employment, social integration, strengthening entrepreneurship and management and concentration of small capitals in the form of medium and large capitals, and as one of the newest ways. Therefore, sustainable development is prominent in the country's development plans. Rural production cooperatives are one of the most effective networks at the village level that directly serve farmers and rural masses and play an important role in realizing the country's grand plans. Therefore, the success of cooperatives can make their role in rural development more colorful. This research was conducted after identifying the success factors of production cooperatives in rural areas of Lorestan province based on the EFQM model.
Methodology
The statistical population of this research includes the members of active rural production cooperatives in Lorestan province, which are 2602 people in 7 rural production cooperatives in four cities of Duroud, Borujerd, Khorram Abad and Aligudarz, in 41 villages. 335 people were selected by random sampling using Morgan's Krejci table. Data analysis was done with SPSS20 software.
Discussion and conclusion
The findings showed that among the EFQM factors (leadership, policy and strategy, employees, partnership and resources, processes, customer results, employee results, community results and key performance results), leadership criteria, policy and strategy, employees, partnership and resources, employee results, community results, key performance results have a positive and significant effect on the success of cooperatives, which are able to explain 60.3% of the variance of the dependent variable.
Rural production cooperatives in the world have more than 250 million members, which have created many successes in the world agricultural sector in the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Israel and Germany, where 32% of the global market share of the agricultural sector belongs to cooperatives. In this regard, rural production cooperatives are considered an effective factor in the agricultural sector. Considering the fact that every cooperative is born to achieve specific goals.
Cooperative companies play a role in the fields of economic growth, poverty alleviation, productive employment, social integration, strengthening entrepreneurship and management and concentration of small capitals in the form of medium and large capitals, and as one of the newest ways. Therefore, sustainable development is prominent in the country's development plans. Rural production cooperatives are one of the most effective networks at the village level that directly serve farmers and rural masses and play an important role in realizing the country's grand plans. Therefore, the success of cooperatives can make their role in rural development more colorful. This research was conducted after identifying the success factors of production cooperatives in rural areas of Lorestan province based on the EFQM model.
Methodology
The statistical population of this research includes the members of active rural production cooperatives in Lorestan province, which are 2602 people in 7 rural production cooperatives in four cities of Duroud, Borujerd, Khorram Abad and Aligudarz, in 41 villages. 335 people were selected by random sampling using Morgan's Krejci table. Data analysis was done with SPSS20 software.
Discussion and conclusion
The findings showed that among the EFQM factors (leadership, policy and strategy, employees, partnership and resources, processes, customer results, employee results, community results and key performance results), leadership criteria, policy and strategy, employees, partnership and resources, employee results, community results, key performance results have a positive and significant effect on the success of cooperatives, which are able to explain 60.3% of the variance of the dependent variable.
Sona Habibi, Sadegh Salehi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Rural environmental protection has received increasing attention in recent years. The main issues include environmental pollution, land degradation, resource depletion, biodiversity loss, income loss, and public health risks. These issues are particularly acute in villages and remote regions of developing countries. Rural areas often lack the required resources to take needed action to protect the environment. Moreover, many management strategies associated with centralized and urban regions are unsuitable for implementation in rural areas. Although human interventions could degrade ecosystem sustainability, appropriate management could preserve the sustainability of rural ecosystems. The reverse of this case is also true. That is, inadequate management protection of natural resources also causes widespread destruction. Iran's environment, especially in rural areas, is as same as other countries, and in some cases, the factors of environmental degradation have expanded.
Various natural resources, such as water, forest land, pasture and mountains, are unique features of the villages in Gilan Province. However, the destruction of nature is also increasing as an environmental threat.
In the meantime, some degradation happened in the environment of the villages in the west of Gilan (Tavalesh), which are located between the shores of the Caspian Sea and the Talash mountain range and are mainly scattered in four mountainous, foothill, plain and coastal areas. It seems that the destructive state of the natural environment is mainly caused by destructive human behavior. Moreover, these behaviors occur in a context. Therefore, the primary contexts and conditions of occurrence of these destructive behaviors and their causes should be analyzed and investigated.
A deep understanding of economic-management mechanisms of the formation and expansion of environmental issues in rural society is vital for the researcher to enter the research field.
The main question of the study is what are the economic-management contexts affecting the formation of environmental problems in the studied rural community? According to the grounded theory method, the sub-questions are: What economic and management factors have formed the environmental problems in society? What are the central phenomena of environmental issues? What are the strategies for overcoming environmental problems? Moreover, what are the consequences of these strategies for society?
Methodology
In this qualitative research, grounded theory and the systematic approach of Strauss and Corbin were used. The study population consisted of experts and officials in natural resources and watershed management, agricultural jahad management, environmental protection organization, village council, rural municipality and villagers. Thirty-five people were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected by a semi-structured interview and analyzed by using a coding technique. First, based on open coding, the main concepts of the research were obtained. In axial coding, by referring again to the text of the interviews, the factors affecting the environmental problems were identified and extracted from the interviewees' point of view. Then the main categories were obtained by merging one or more component categories. Finally, selective coding was done to integrate and refine the data to discover the main phenomenon and draw a paradigm model. The validity and reliability were evaluated based on control or validation by the participants.
Discussion and conclusion
Based on open coding, four main concepts of "unstable income", "unemployment", "production stagnation", and "denaturalization" as economic contexts and three concepts of "bad organization", "lack of specialization", and "mismanagement" as contexts for mismanagement creating environmental problems was extracted.
The main phenomenon is "environmental destruction and ecosystem instability". The background conditions are "natural situation, economic shortcomings and management challenges". The causal conditions affecting environmental destruction and ecosystem change are: "single-product economy", "organizational and managerial inefficiency", "organizational divergence", "dependent livelihood", and "unemployment". Furthermore, intervening conditions were identified as organizational involvement, lack of expert force, land sale, small ownership and small industries. Interactive strategies include: managerial integration, reforming human resources, defining alternative livelihoods, training appropriate to livelihoods, syndicating rural productions, revising national land laws, and determining national and personal land boundaries with the correct implementation of the Cadastre plan.
In rural areas, the natural situation, economic shortcomings and management challenges affect environmental degradation and ecosystem instability. The more the villagers have diverse natural resources and more access to natural resources, the greater their desire to use nature to generate income. In rural areas, the predominance of the single-product economy increases livelihood dependence on natural resources. The inefficiency and supervisory weakness of the responsible and custodian organizations, which is often represented in the form of organizational divergence, facilitates the process of environmental destruction.
Finally, the final statement from the paradigm model is that in rural areas, a set of economic-management factors affects environmental degradation and ecosystem instability. Environmental degradation and ecosystem instability appear in the context of the convergence of economic and management fields. This way, the "environmental multi-causal convergence" theoretical model was conceptualized.
Rural environmental protection has received increasing attention in recent years. The main issues include environmental pollution, land degradation, resource depletion, biodiversity loss, income loss, and public health risks. These issues are particularly acute in villages and remote regions of developing countries. Rural areas often lack the required resources to take needed action to protect the environment. Moreover, many management strategies associated with centralized and urban regions are unsuitable for implementation in rural areas. Although human interventions could degrade ecosystem sustainability, appropriate management could preserve the sustainability of rural ecosystems. The reverse of this case is also true. That is, inadequate management protection of natural resources also causes widespread destruction. Iran's environment, especially in rural areas, is as same as other countries, and in some cases, the factors of environmental degradation have expanded.
Various natural resources, such as water, forest land, pasture and mountains, are unique features of the villages in Gilan Province. However, the destruction of nature is also increasing as an environmental threat.
In the meantime, some degradation happened in the environment of the villages in the west of Gilan (Tavalesh), which are located between the shores of the Caspian Sea and the Talash mountain range and are mainly scattered in four mountainous, foothill, plain and coastal areas. It seems that the destructive state of the natural environment is mainly caused by destructive human behavior. Moreover, these behaviors occur in a context. Therefore, the primary contexts and conditions of occurrence of these destructive behaviors and their causes should be analyzed and investigated.
A deep understanding of economic-management mechanisms of the formation and expansion of environmental issues in rural society is vital for the researcher to enter the research field.
The main question of the study is what are the economic-management contexts affecting the formation of environmental problems in the studied rural community? According to the grounded theory method, the sub-questions are: What economic and management factors have formed the environmental problems in society? What are the central phenomena of environmental issues? What are the strategies for overcoming environmental problems? Moreover, what are the consequences of these strategies for society?
Methodology
In this qualitative research, grounded theory and the systematic approach of Strauss and Corbin were used. The study population consisted of experts and officials in natural resources and watershed management, agricultural jahad management, environmental protection organization, village council, rural municipality and villagers. Thirty-five people were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected by a semi-structured interview and analyzed by using a coding technique. First, based on open coding, the main concepts of the research were obtained. In axial coding, by referring again to the text of the interviews, the factors affecting the environmental problems were identified and extracted from the interviewees' point of view. Then the main categories were obtained by merging one or more component categories. Finally, selective coding was done to integrate and refine the data to discover the main phenomenon and draw a paradigm model. The validity and reliability were evaluated based on control or validation by the participants.
Discussion and conclusion
Based on open coding, four main concepts of "unstable income", "unemployment", "production stagnation", and "denaturalization" as economic contexts and three concepts of "bad organization", "lack of specialization", and "mismanagement" as contexts for mismanagement creating environmental problems was extracted.
The main phenomenon is "environmental destruction and ecosystem instability". The background conditions are "natural situation, economic shortcomings and management challenges". The causal conditions affecting environmental destruction and ecosystem change are: "single-product economy", "organizational and managerial inefficiency", "organizational divergence", "dependent livelihood", and "unemployment". Furthermore, intervening conditions were identified as organizational involvement, lack of expert force, land sale, small ownership and small industries. Interactive strategies include: managerial integration, reforming human resources, defining alternative livelihoods, training appropriate to livelihoods, syndicating rural productions, revising national land laws, and determining national and personal land boundaries with the correct implementation of the Cadastre plan.
In rural areas, the natural situation, economic shortcomings and management challenges affect environmental degradation and ecosystem instability. The more the villagers have diverse natural resources and more access to natural resources, the greater their desire to use nature to generate income. In rural areas, the predominance of the single-product economy increases livelihood dependence on natural resources. The inefficiency and supervisory weakness of the responsible and custodian organizations, which is often represented in the form of organizational divergence, facilitates the process of environmental destruction.
Finally, the final statement from the paradigm model is that in rural areas, a set of economic-management factors affects environmental degradation and ecosystem instability. Environmental degradation and ecosystem instability appear in the context of the convergence of economic and management fields. This way, the "environmental multi-causal convergence" theoretical model was conceptualized.
Ali Akbar Taghipour, Fatemeh Motalebi Nejad, Parsa Ahmadi Dehrashid,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Nowadays, systems of society, including social and economic systems, change so fast that they require appropriate actions and strategies to satisfy their needs. Entrepreneurship is one of the strategies proposed in response to new needs. Rural settlements play an essential role in all aspects of society. These settlements contain a significant percentage of the population and are essential to national development. However, these places are known to have problems such as unemployment, low income, and lack of diversity in occupation. According to many researchers, entrepreneurship is an essential tool for rural development and can be a suitable stimulus for the stagnant situation of three sectors of agriculture, services and industry. However, the fact that entrepreneurship programs are male-oriented is a big problem that has caused human resources and society's capacity not to be used properly. As half of the society's population, women have a prominent role in various elements of society, but the existing policies and plans prevent their presence and development. Gender analysis is a way to achieve gender balance in all aspects of society, and it examines and compares the attitudes and views of men and women on various issues. In the present research, an attempt is made to evaluate the views of women and men of Amirabad District of Damghan County regarding the effect of five components: individual, family, economic, cultural-social and institutional infrastructure in the success of entrepreneurship.
Methodology
The current research is an applied study, which in terms of its nature, is in the category of descriptive-analytical research. The method of collecting documentary information is a survey; In the first step, with library studies, an effort was made to extract the components needed for the questionnaire while developing the theoretical framework of the research. The questionnaire was prepared in 17 indicators and 41 items among 379 residents of Ghahab Rastaq, Ghahab Sarsar and Toyeh Darwar districts in Amirabad District of Damghan County, which was calculated using the Cochran method with a confidence coefficient of 95%. It was distributed in the spring of 1401. After completing the questionnaires, they were collected and analyzed using SPSS software; Pearson's correlation test and independent T-test are two statistical tests that were used to measure the correlation between variables and gender analysis of entrepreneurship development indicators, respectively.
Discussion and conclusion
Using the Pearson correlation test to measure the degree of correlation between the variables indicates a significant relationship between the indicators of entrepreneurship development and the success resulting from it, based on the respondents' opinions. However, the low weighted average of them causes the significance of the relationship to be moderate. The obtained results show that the highest correlation rate among men is the individual index, with a correlation rate of 0.552, and the family indices (r=0.519), cultural-social (r=0.495), and economic indices (r=0.476), respectively. Moreover, infrastructural-institutional (r=0.471) is in the following ranks. Among women, the highest correlation value, like men, is related to the "individual" index with a value of 0.473, and infrastructure-institutional (r= 0.469), economic (r= 0.453), family (r= 0.440), and social indicators. - Cultural (r= 0.393) is in the next rank. Therefore, according to the obtained results, the first hypothesis of the research is rejected; In the first hypothesis, it was stated that "it seems that among the effective factors in the development of entrepreneurship, economic factors have more influence from the point of view of women", the results of the Pearson test indicated that the economic index with the value of r=0.453 It is in the third place of indicators in terms of women. On the other hand, according to the above results, the second hypothesis of the research is confirmed because the factors of the five indicators of the research do not have the same priority from the point of view of men and women, and each of the gender groups has a different point of view towards Indicators are essential.
The results of the independent T-test indicate that in the "individual" index, the most important item for women's success in entrepreneurship is "having commitment" and for men, "risk tolerance". In the "family" index, women's "family attitude" and men's "having freedom of action on behalf of the family" were evaluated as the most critical items. In the "economic" index, in terms of both sex groups, "income from entrepreneurship"; In the "social-cultural" index, from the point of view of women, "the type of culture in the place of residence" and from the point of view of men, "women's participation"; In the institutional-infrastructural index, "giving land to entrepreneurs" was evaluated as the most important issue for both sex groups.
This research attempted to measure the difference between men's and women's views on success factors in entrepreneurship. The obtained results indicated that women and men have completely different views on success factors in entrepreneurship; Although men and women considered the "individual" factor to be the most important factor, there was no consensus among them regarding the order of the components of this factor. According to women, "having a commitment" is the most important feature that must exist in the personality of an entrepreneur in order to provide the basis for his success; On the other hand, men consider "risk-taking" to be the most important characteristic of a successful entrepreneur. In general, women believed that individual, infrastructural-institutional, economic, family, and socio-cultural factors have the greatest impact on entrepreneurial success; Men also considered individual, family, cultural-social, economic, infrastructural-institutional as important. The research results indicate a significant difference between the attitudes of women and men; This requires that this difference be taken into account in relevant decisions and planning so that proper improvement and development in entrepreneurship can occur among all social groups.
Nowadays, systems of society, including social and economic systems, change so fast that they require appropriate actions and strategies to satisfy their needs. Entrepreneurship is one of the strategies proposed in response to new needs. Rural settlements play an essential role in all aspects of society. These settlements contain a significant percentage of the population and are essential to national development. However, these places are known to have problems such as unemployment, low income, and lack of diversity in occupation. According to many researchers, entrepreneurship is an essential tool for rural development and can be a suitable stimulus for the stagnant situation of three sectors of agriculture, services and industry. However, the fact that entrepreneurship programs are male-oriented is a big problem that has caused human resources and society's capacity not to be used properly. As half of the society's population, women have a prominent role in various elements of society, but the existing policies and plans prevent their presence and development. Gender analysis is a way to achieve gender balance in all aspects of society, and it examines and compares the attitudes and views of men and women on various issues. In the present research, an attempt is made to evaluate the views of women and men of Amirabad District of Damghan County regarding the effect of five components: individual, family, economic, cultural-social and institutional infrastructure in the success of entrepreneurship.
Methodology
The current research is an applied study, which in terms of its nature, is in the category of descriptive-analytical research. The method of collecting documentary information is a survey; In the first step, with library studies, an effort was made to extract the components needed for the questionnaire while developing the theoretical framework of the research. The questionnaire was prepared in 17 indicators and 41 items among 379 residents of Ghahab Rastaq, Ghahab Sarsar and Toyeh Darwar districts in Amirabad District of Damghan County, which was calculated using the Cochran method with a confidence coefficient of 95%. It was distributed in the spring of 1401. After completing the questionnaires, they were collected and analyzed using SPSS software; Pearson's correlation test and independent T-test are two statistical tests that were used to measure the correlation between variables and gender analysis of entrepreneurship development indicators, respectively.
Discussion and conclusion
Using the Pearson correlation test to measure the degree of correlation between the variables indicates a significant relationship between the indicators of entrepreneurship development and the success resulting from it, based on the respondents' opinions. However, the low weighted average of them causes the significance of the relationship to be moderate. The obtained results show that the highest correlation rate among men is the individual index, with a correlation rate of 0.552, and the family indices (r=0.519), cultural-social (r=0.495), and economic indices (r=0.476), respectively. Moreover, infrastructural-institutional (r=0.471) is in the following ranks. Among women, the highest correlation value, like men, is related to the "individual" index with a value of 0.473, and infrastructure-institutional (r= 0.469), economic (r= 0.453), family (r= 0.440), and social indicators. - Cultural (r= 0.393) is in the next rank. Therefore, according to the obtained results, the first hypothesis of the research is rejected; In the first hypothesis, it was stated that "it seems that among the effective factors in the development of entrepreneurship, economic factors have more influence from the point of view of women", the results of the Pearson test indicated that the economic index with the value of r=0.453 It is in the third place of indicators in terms of women. On the other hand, according to the above results, the second hypothesis of the research is confirmed because the factors of the five indicators of the research do not have the same priority from the point of view of men and women, and each of the gender groups has a different point of view towards Indicators are essential.
The results of the independent T-test indicate that in the "individual" index, the most important item for women's success in entrepreneurship is "having commitment" and for men, "risk tolerance". In the "family" index, women's "family attitude" and men's "having freedom of action on behalf of the family" were evaluated as the most critical items. In the "economic" index, in terms of both sex groups, "income from entrepreneurship"; In the "social-cultural" index, from the point of view of women, "the type of culture in the place of residence" and from the point of view of men, "women's participation"; In the institutional-infrastructural index, "giving land to entrepreneurs" was evaluated as the most important issue for both sex groups.
This research attempted to measure the difference between men's and women's views on success factors in entrepreneurship. The obtained results indicated that women and men have completely different views on success factors in entrepreneurship; Although men and women considered the "individual" factor to be the most important factor, there was no consensus among them regarding the order of the components of this factor. According to women, "having a commitment" is the most important feature that must exist in the personality of an entrepreneur in order to provide the basis for his success; On the other hand, men consider "risk-taking" to be the most important characteristic of a successful entrepreneur. In general, women believed that individual, infrastructural-institutional, economic, family, and socio-cultural factors have the greatest impact on entrepreneurial success; Men also considered individual, family, cultural-social, economic, infrastructural-institutional as important. The research results indicate a significant difference between the attitudes of women and men; This requires that this difference be taken into account in relevant decisions and planning so that proper improvement and development in entrepreneurship can occur among all social groups.
Asma Khosravi Zo, Maryam Ghasemi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
In rural areas, Covid-19 has, directly and indirectly, affected all aspects of rural society in the medium and short term. Thus, the economy of the tourist destination villages of Kalat county, which has a lot of dependence on tourism, has faced a severe recession due to the impact of Covid-19 and has been severely damaged. In general, based on the initial exploratory studies of the economy, these tourist destinations have faced the following problems:
A) Decrease in tourism demand: Due to the impact of Covid-19, the number of tourists entering the rural tourism destinations of Kalat county has decreased significantly. The average annual number of tourists in Ortakand village has decreased from 200 thousand people to 10 thousand people, in Baba Ramzan village from 20 thousand people to 4 thousand people, and in Abgarm village, from 40 thousand people to less than 20 thousand people after the outbreak of Covid-19 which has created many problems for the economy of these villages.
B) Decrease in the income of the tourism sector: Due to the decrease in tourism demand, we are witnessing a decrease in money coming to tourism destinations and a decrease in the direct and indirect income of activists of the tourism market in the villages of tourism destinations, so that in the village of Ortakand, the income of those working in the tourism sector has decreased by about 90%. Before Covid-19, the people of this village earned money by selling livestock, and agricultural and horticultural products, as well as through supermarkets and renting resorts to tourists. Also, before the outbreak of Covid-19 in Baba Ramzan village, 90% of dairy products, 80% of handicraft products of the villagers, as well as other products of the village such as gardens, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, medicinal plants and rice were bought by tourists, but after the outbreak of Covid 19, The income that the people of this village earned from the sale of these products has decreased by 85-90 percent.
C) Increase in unemployment: The decrease in tourism demand has caused a decrease in job opportunities in tourism destinations and the unemployment of many tourism activists in rural areas. After covid-19, those villagers who have been active in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism resorts, guest houses, renting beds and gazebos, selling agricultural, garden, livestock, dairy products etc., due to the lack of tourists, have faced unemployment. So 80% of people in Ortakand village, 30% in Baba Ramzan village and 20% in Abgarm village have become unemployed due to the spread of Covid-19.
D) Inefficiency of investments: After Covid-19, due to the decrease and absence of tourists, the investments that some people in these villages had made in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism resorts, beds and gazebos, supermarkets, etc., which has often been by obtaining facilities, but has remained without returns, which, in addition to the problem of unemployment, has made it difficult for these people to repay these facilities.
According to these, the research question is raised as follows: To what extent has the spread of Covid 19 affected the economy of the tourism target villages of Kalat County?
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytical and of the type of applied-developmental research. In this study, eight tourism destination villages in Kalat Naderi County were identified and studied with the help of field and documentary studies. The impact of Covid-19 on the economy of tourism destination villages was quantified based on the Likert scale and under the three components of employment, investment and income with the help of 19 indicators. The research tool was completed with the help of 22 experts from tourism destination villages. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using 19 indicators, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was favorable with a value of 0.9.
Discussion and conclusion
With the spread of Covid-19, rural tourism destinations have faced many economic problems. Since these villages get a large part of their income from the tourism sector, they faced unemployment after the spread of Covid-19, and finally, the economy of these villages faced stagnation. According to the obtained results, it can be said that Covid-19 has had many negative effects on the economy of tourist villages. The results showed that the average impact of Covid-19 on the economy of tourist destination villages was 3.68 on the Likert scale. Also, the impact of Covid-19 on income, with an average of 3.8, is higher than on investment, with 3.54 and employment, with 3.53. Obviously, the income from the tourism sector has decreased greatly due to the sharp decrease in the number of tourists. Also, the average impact of Covid-19 on the economy of all the studied tourism target villages was higher than 3. Therefore, there is a significant difference between the average effects of Covid-19 on the economy of the studied villages after the outbreak of Covid-19 compared to before, and the average of the investigated variables has decreased significantly after Covid-19. So that in the villages of tourism destinations, there has been a decrease of 19,941 tourists per year compared to before the outbreak of Covid-19. This situation has caused an average decrease of 31 direct businesses and 44 indirect businesses active in tourism, 47 direct and 77 indirect employees and 1.5 eco-tourism resorts compared to before the outbreak of Covid-19 in each of the tourism destination villages.
In rural areas, Covid-19 has, directly and indirectly, affected all aspects of rural society in the medium and short term. Thus, the economy of the tourist destination villages of Kalat county, which has a lot of dependence on tourism, has faced a severe recession due to the impact of Covid-19 and has been severely damaged. In general, based on the initial exploratory studies of the economy, these tourist destinations have faced the following problems:
A) Decrease in tourism demand: Due to the impact of Covid-19, the number of tourists entering the rural tourism destinations of Kalat county has decreased significantly. The average annual number of tourists in Ortakand village has decreased from 200 thousand people to 10 thousand people, in Baba Ramzan village from 20 thousand people to 4 thousand people, and in Abgarm village, from 40 thousand people to less than 20 thousand people after the outbreak of Covid-19 which has created many problems for the economy of these villages.
B) Decrease in the income of the tourism sector: Due to the decrease in tourism demand, we are witnessing a decrease in money coming to tourism destinations and a decrease in the direct and indirect income of activists of the tourism market in the villages of tourism destinations, so that in the village of Ortakand, the income of those working in the tourism sector has decreased by about 90%. Before Covid-19, the people of this village earned money by selling livestock, and agricultural and horticultural products, as well as through supermarkets and renting resorts to tourists. Also, before the outbreak of Covid-19 in Baba Ramzan village, 90% of dairy products, 80% of handicraft products of the villagers, as well as other products of the village such as gardens, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, medicinal plants and rice were bought by tourists, but after the outbreak of Covid 19, The income that the people of this village earned from the sale of these products has decreased by 85-90 percent.
C) Increase in unemployment: The decrease in tourism demand has caused a decrease in job opportunities in tourism destinations and the unemployment of many tourism activists in rural areas. After covid-19, those villagers who have been active in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism resorts, guest houses, renting beds and gazebos, selling agricultural, garden, livestock, dairy products etc., due to the lack of tourists, have faced unemployment. So 80% of people in Ortakand village, 30% in Baba Ramzan village and 20% in Abgarm village have become unemployed due to the spread of Covid-19.
D) Inefficiency of investments: After Covid-19, due to the decrease and absence of tourists, the investments that some people in these villages had made in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism resorts, beds and gazebos, supermarkets, etc., which has often been by obtaining facilities, but has remained without returns, which, in addition to the problem of unemployment, has made it difficult for these people to repay these facilities.
According to these, the research question is raised as follows: To what extent has the spread of Covid 19 affected the economy of the tourism target villages of Kalat County?
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytical and of the type of applied-developmental research. In this study, eight tourism destination villages in Kalat Naderi County were identified and studied with the help of field and documentary studies. The impact of Covid-19 on the economy of tourism destination villages was quantified based on the Likert scale and under the three components of employment, investment and income with the help of 19 indicators. The research tool was completed with the help of 22 experts from tourism destination villages. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using 19 indicators, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was favorable with a value of 0.9.
Discussion and conclusion
With the spread of Covid-19, rural tourism destinations have faced many economic problems. Since these villages get a large part of their income from the tourism sector, they faced unemployment after the spread of Covid-19, and finally, the economy of these villages faced stagnation. According to the obtained results, it can be said that Covid-19 has had many negative effects on the economy of tourist villages. The results showed that the average impact of Covid-19 on the economy of tourist destination villages was 3.68 on the Likert scale. Also, the impact of Covid-19 on income, with an average of 3.8, is higher than on investment, with 3.54 and employment, with 3.53. Obviously, the income from the tourism sector has decreased greatly due to the sharp decrease in the number of tourists. Also, the average impact of Covid-19 on the economy of all the studied tourism target villages was higher than 3. Therefore, there is a significant difference between the average effects of Covid-19 on the economy of the studied villages after the outbreak of Covid-19 compared to before, and the average of the investigated variables has decreased significantly after Covid-19. So that in the villages of tourism destinations, there has been a decrease of 19,941 tourists per year compared to before the outbreak of Covid-19. This situation has caused an average decrease of 31 direct businesses and 44 indirect businesses active in tourism, 47 direct and 77 indirect employees and 1.5 eco-tourism resorts compared to before the outbreak of Covid-19 in each of the tourism destination villages.
Shamsi Aberi Mansoor, Meysam Mousaaei, Adel Abdollahi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Entrepreneurship is a novel economic phenomenon that significantly influences countries’ economic development. Today, entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in market and competition economics. In other words, in dynamic economics, ideas, products, and services are constantly changing; it is where the entrepreneur introduces a new pattern to adapt to the changes. Therefore, on a larger scale and within a multi-lateral interaction, entrepreneurship plays a definitive role in our lives in the modern world. In this sense, rural entrepreneurship, defined as “entrepreneurial business, industrial, and agricultural activities in rural areas which can foster economic development to a great deal,” is introduced as a relatively new concept in dynamic economics. An entrepreneurial environment welcomes risks and opportunities and knows how to benefit from environmental resources. According to the existing literature, entrepreneurs constantly look for value potentials to discover and benefit from the significant values of positive external factors. Positive incidents or opportunities can create considerable profit for one’s business if one knows how to monetize them. These external factors include the natural resources available in entrepreneurs’ work environments. The study aims to introduce a platform to promote entrepreneurship and study factors that help it thrive. To this aim, Giddens’ Theory of Structuration, which introduces a complex structure to study how opportunities, in specific, and threats, in general, appear to an entrepreneur working on a system, was employed in this study. Entrepreneurial passion is developed through the interactions between people and opportunities. This study provides a platform to examine entrepreneurial opportunities in dire need of further investigation in the Bahar District of Hamedan, a province of Iran.
Methodology
This applied research follows a descriptive-analytical approach. This study was conducted using a survey research method. The statistical population included all the families who lived in the Bahar district of Hamedan. The Cochran formula was used to determine the sample size. The sample size was set at 384 households; however, to ensure the accuracy of the resulting data, it was increased to 450 households. The participants were asked to fill out the
questionnaire. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select the participants of the study. The participants were selected using the following process: first, the researchers acquired multiple maps of the housed areas. Then, to ensure the randomness of the participant selection, the researchers would choose each household randomly and interview the first person who showed up at the door, provided that he was 18 or older. SPSS was used to analyze the resulting data. The Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to calculate the correlation between variables.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the analytical findings of this research, there was a positive and direct relationship between entrepreneurship and its four contributing factors social security, economic security, social trust, and hope for the future. The study results show potential individual and environmental resources in the Bahar district of Hamedan to support entrepreneurial activities and start new businesses. These individual and environmental resources predicted 0.21 of the changes associated with entrepreneurial activities, indicating that they help entrepreneurial activities and businesses thrive. In other words, creating environments where new businesses can easily grow and expand contributes to entrepreneurial activities greatly. Bahar District of Hamedan possesses relatively promising capacities which can boost social and economic development significantly if handled with proper thought and planning. The local and rural administrators have failed to create an environment conducive to the establishment of new businesses and financial development. They have mainly focused on the development of the well-being of the locals through housing. However, housing developments alone cannot lead to social and economic development in rural areas. Local administrators need to start planning for economic development by creating job opportunities for the locals. Since the Bahar district of Hamedan is one of the pathways to the Holy March of Karbala. It can bring about many opportunities for financial development for the locals through local markets, etc. The locals can sell their agricultural and handcrafted products in these markets and step on the path of entrepreneurship, ultimately leading to social and economic development. The development of rural businesses and entrepreneurial activities are two of the primary factors in rural entrepreneurship. Multiple factors contribute to rural entrepreneurship. That is why it is necessary to promote the factors supporting rural entrepreneurship in the Bahar district of Hamedan to sow the seeds of financial development in this region.
Entrepreneurship is a novel economic phenomenon that significantly influences countries’ economic development. Today, entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in market and competition economics. In other words, in dynamic economics, ideas, products, and services are constantly changing; it is where the entrepreneur introduces a new pattern to adapt to the changes. Therefore, on a larger scale and within a multi-lateral interaction, entrepreneurship plays a definitive role in our lives in the modern world. In this sense, rural entrepreneurship, defined as “entrepreneurial business, industrial, and agricultural activities in rural areas which can foster economic development to a great deal,” is introduced as a relatively new concept in dynamic economics. An entrepreneurial environment welcomes risks and opportunities and knows how to benefit from environmental resources. According to the existing literature, entrepreneurs constantly look for value potentials to discover and benefit from the significant values of positive external factors. Positive incidents or opportunities can create considerable profit for one’s business if one knows how to monetize them. These external factors include the natural resources available in entrepreneurs’ work environments. The study aims to introduce a platform to promote entrepreneurship and study factors that help it thrive. To this aim, Giddens’ Theory of Structuration, which introduces a complex structure to study how opportunities, in specific, and threats, in general, appear to an entrepreneur working on a system, was employed in this study. Entrepreneurial passion is developed through the interactions between people and opportunities. This study provides a platform to examine entrepreneurial opportunities in dire need of further investigation in the Bahar District of Hamedan, a province of Iran.
Methodology
This applied research follows a descriptive-analytical approach. This study was conducted using a survey research method. The statistical population included all the families who lived in the Bahar district of Hamedan. The Cochran formula was used to determine the sample size. The sample size was set at 384 households; however, to ensure the accuracy of the resulting data, it was increased to 450 households. The participants were asked to fill out the
questionnaire. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select the participants of the study. The participants were selected using the following process: first, the researchers acquired multiple maps of the housed areas. Then, to ensure the randomness of the participant selection, the researchers would choose each household randomly and interview the first person who showed up at the door, provided that he was 18 or older. SPSS was used to analyze the resulting data. The Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to calculate the correlation between variables.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the analytical findings of this research, there was a positive and direct relationship between entrepreneurship and its four contributing factors social security, economic security, social trust, and hope for the future. The study results show potential individual and environmental resources in the Bahar district of Hamedan to support entrepreneurial activities and start new businesses. These individual and environmental resources predicted 0.21 of the changes associated with entrepreneurial activities, indicating that they help entrepreneurial activities and businesses thrive. In other words, creating environments where new businesses can easily grow and expand contributes to entrepreneurial activities greatly. Bahar District of Hamedan possesses relatively promising capacities which can boost social and economic development significantly if handled with proper thought and planning. The local and rural administrators have failed to create an environment conducive to the establishment of new businesses and financial development. They have mainly focused on the development of the well-being of the locals through housing. However, housing developments alone cannot lead to social and economic development in rural areas. Local administrators need to start planning for economic development by creating job opportunities for the locals. Since the Bahar district of Hamedan is one of the pathways to the Holy March of Karbala. It can bring about many opportunities for financial development for the locals through local markets, etc. The locals can sell their agricultural and handcrafted products in these markets and step on the path of entrepreneurship, ultimately leading to social and economic development. The development of rural businesses and entrepreneurial activities are two of the primary factors in rural entrepreneurship. Multiple factors contribute to rural entrepreneurship. That is why it is necessary to promote the factors supporting rural entrepreneurship in the Bahar district of Hamedan to sow the seeds of financial development in this region.
Fatemeh Askari Bozayeh,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
One of the most important and effective incentives for investment and improving the business environment is facilitating and expediting issuing of licenses. This process is so crucial that it has become the only component or at least one of the main components for international business environment assessments. Licensing procedures are also common in the agricultural sector, and due to important issues such as compliance with public health and environmental safety, it becomes more specific. Animal husbandry is a prosperous production activity in the agricultural sector and one of the important pillars of the rural economy. Like all of them, it needs a suitable platform to fulfil its assigned missions. The heavy livestock breeding license is issued according to the rules and regulations set in a book under the title of the Comprehensive Livestock Breeding System Law. Therefore, issuing heavy livestock licenses under a national project in Isfahan, Khorasan Razavi, Qom, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Gilan has been investigated to explain the current and suggest an optimal state.
Methodology
In order to identify the current state of the licensing process, pathology and analysis of its optimal state, the focus group qualitative research method was used. Focus group research is a method for collecting qualitative data. In this research, in order to achieve the intended purposes, five steps include collecting information on the current situation; formation of the working group of applicants; Forming a focus group of experts; discussing the issues raised and providing solutions by experts; And the final synthesis and drawing of the optimal chart has been completed. Also, for all responsible and provincial project researchers, a user code and password have been defined to search in the licensing system named Panjare Vahed, which is the basis of the analysis of this research. The Panjare Vahed system, now renamed Electronic Agricultural Licensing System (SAMAK), is designed to apply for and track the issuance of licenses in the agricultural sector. Visio 2013 software was used to draw licensing charts.
Discussion and conclusion
In order to obtain a heavy livestock license, three permits: Permission in Principle, Establishment Permit, and Operation Permit, are required, each of which has overlapping processes that cause many problems for the applicants. The results of the project indicate the chaotic situation of the licensing process and the absence of a single and coordination procedure in the province. According to the surveys carried out in the investigated provinces, the most critical factor in prolonging the licensing process is the multiplicity of decision-making centers and parallel inquiries and the absence of online, intelligent and up-to-date systems, as well as the rules and instructions of these centers. Finally, the current and optimal state of the licensing process is plotted in the form of graphs that will contribute to a better understanding of this issue.
One of the most important and effective incentives for investment and improving the business environment is facilitating and expediting issuing of licenses. This process is so crucial that it has become the only component or at least one of the main components for international business environment assessments. Licensing procedures are also common in the agricultural sector, and due to important issues such as compliance with public health and environmental safety, it becomes more specific. Animal husbandry is a prosperous production activity in the agricultural sector and one of the important pillars of the rural economy. Like all of them, it needs a suitable platform to fulfil its assigned missions. The heavy livestock breeding license is issued according to the rules and regulations set in a book under the title of the Comprehensive Livestock Breeding System Law. Therefore, issuing heavy livestock licenses under a national project in Isfahan, Khorasan Razavi, Qom, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Gilan has been investigated to explain the current and suggest an optimal state.
Methodology
In order to identify the current state of the licensing process, pathology and analysis of its optimal state, the focus group qualitative research method was used. Focus group research is a method for collecting qualitative data. In this research, in order to achieve the intended purposes, five steps include collecting information on the current situation; formation of the working group of applicants; Forming a focus group of experts; discussing the issues raised and providing solutions by experts; And the final synthesis and drawing of the optimal chart has been completed. Also, for all responsible and provincial project researchers, a user code and password have been defined to search in the licensing system named Panjare Vahed, which is the basis of the analysis of this research. The Panjare Vahed system, now renamed Electronic Agricultural Licensing System (SAMAK), is designed to apply for and track the issuance of licenses in the agricultural sector. Visio 2013 software was used to draw licensing charts.
Discussion and conclusion
In order to obtain a heavy livestock license, three permits: Permission in Principle, Establishment Permit, and Operation Permit, are required, each of which has overlapping processes that cause many problems for the applicants. The results of the project indicate the chaotic situation of the licensing process and the absence of a single and coordination procedure in the province. According to the surveys carried out in the investigated provinces, the most critical factor in prolonging the licensing process is the multiplicity of decision-making centers and parallel inquiries and the absence of online, intelligent and up-to-date systems, as well as the rules and instructions of these centers. Finally, the current and optimal state of the licensing process is plotted in the form of graphs that will contribute to a better understanding of this issue.
Masoumeh Noroozinezhad, Majid Yasuri, Ruhollah Oji,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
The declining trend of the rural economy, the spread of poverty, and unemployment show that, in practice, the vital development goals in rural areas have failed. The sustainability of the rural economy is a vital corridor to achieving national economic sustainability. Economic sustainability in rural areas means strengthening the foundations of the rural economy to economic security in terms of access to sustainable livelihoods, economic stability, beneficial employment, reliable financial resources and environmentally friendly technology using human resources. Today, it is necessary to pay attention to economic sustainability, considering the challenges facing developing countries. In the current situation, attention to economic sustainability becomes more necessary, given the challenges and bottlenecks that settlements face.
On the other hand, discovering, understanding, and recognizing spatial patterns leads to a better understanding of phenomena and their relationships, actions, and interactions at the space level. The analysis of the elements of geographical space facilitates the mutual understanding of the phenomena and helps to simplify and create order in a vague and complex reality. Based on objective facts, rural settlements in Langaroud County need better economic stability. This issue is evident in cases such as high unemployment, poverty, low agricultural production, etc. Accordingly, the sustainable development of the rural economy is considered a goal to solve the problems and issues of rural areas in the study area. Therefore, this study seeks to answer two questions: First, what spatial pattern does the economic sustainability of rural settlements in Langroud County follow? And second, what is the relationship between the geographical location of rural areas and their level of economic stability?
Methodology
In terms of purpose, research is part of applied-developmental research. It is also descriptive-analytical in terms of analysis method. Research information was collected through field study and the use of the village questionnaire, and library-documentary studies. SPSS, GIS and Excel software have also been used to analyze the data. The study's statistical population is the Rural managers of more than 20 households in the city of Langroud, with 110 Rural managers in 7 villages, which has been done in total.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the research findings, in connection with the first purpose of the research (identifying the spatial pattern of economic sustainability of rural settlements in the study city), it was found that the spatial pattern of economic sustainability and its components (justice, stability, welfare), According to the results obtained from the general statistics of G, the statistics of general Moran and also the statistics of G, is random and one of the most important reasons is the randomness of the spatial pattern of the villages of the city, while in the research (2016) ), The spatial model of economic stability has been clustered; In his research, the spatial pattern of the villages was scattered, but the studied features formed a cluster, but in the present study, the spatial pattern of the villages was random, and the studied features were also random. The giver is that the studied villages have not been affected as much as possible by the surrounding villages. Concerning the second goal, namely the difference in geographical location and the level of economic stability of villages, studies have shown that sustainable villages are located in the plains of the city and as the natural and elevation position of villages goes to the foothills, Their economic stability is also reduced due to the recreational conditions of the mountain villages and the lack of easy access to the city, their dispersion, and the low population of these areas. Therefore, the research hypothesis related to the second question is confirmed that there is a difference between the natural and geographical location of villages and their level of economic stability. These results are consistent with the results of the research of Ghadiri Masoom et al. (2010), who concluded that the villages with the highest level of economic stability are located in the plains, like the current study that economically sustainable villages. There are villages located in the plains with large populations that are more extensive, have a natural location and good communication, and the level of job diversity is relatively higher in them.
According to the obtained results, it can be said that, in general, economic stability in the villages of Langroud county is at a weak level. The natural and communication situation of the villages is one of the most important factors that affect their level of economic stability; As the natural position of the villages moves towards the foothills, the level of economic stability decreases compared to other villages located in the plains. The results indicate that among the villages of Langroud county, the distribution of coefficients of economic stability components has been considerable. In other words, in each of the components of economic stability, several specific villages have the highest level of stability. Furthermore, economic stability in components has not occurred between common villages except in very few cases. In this regard, it can be acknowledged that despite some criteria as good economic stability. Other criteria, such as income level, job opportunities, and investments, are low. There were villages that, for example. The level of economic justice is high, and the level of economic stability is low. Therefore, the economic stability of villages has three components and various indicators that achieving the most desirable state requires the alignment and integration of all components and criteria of economic sustainability. Therefore, with a one-dimensional view of this process, we can not expect the desired results. However, it requires a comprehensive view and attention to all economic sustainability components in Langroud county's villages.
The declining trend of the rural economy, the spread of poverty, and unemployment show that, in practice, the vital development goals in rural areas have failed. The sustainability of the rural economy is a vital corridor to achieving national economic sustainability. Economic sustainability in rural areas means strengthening the foundations of the rural economy to economic security in terms of access to sustainable livelihoods, economic stability, beneficial employment, reliable financial resources and environmentally friendly technology using human resources. Today, it is necessary to pay attention to economic sustainability, considering the challenges facing developing countries. In the current situation, attention to economic sustainability becomes more necessary, given the challenges and bottlenecks that settlements face.
On the other hand, discovering, understanding, and recognizing spatial patterns leads to a better understanding of phenomena and their relationships, actions, and interactions at the space level. The analysis of the elements of geographical space facilitates the mutual understanding of the phenomena and helps to simplify and create order in a vague and complex reality. Based on objective facts, rural settlements in Langaroud County need better economic stability. This issue is evident in cases such as high unemployment, poverty, low agricultural production, etc. Accordingly, the sustainable development of the rural economy is considered a goal to solve the problems and issues of rural areas in the study area. Therefore, this study seeks to answer two questions: First, what spatial pattern does the economic sustainability of rural settlements in Langroud County follow? And second, what is the relationship between the geographical location of rural areas and their level of economic stability?
Methodology
In terms of purpose, research is part of applied-developmental research. It is also descriptive-analytical in terms of analysis method. Research information was collected through field study and the use of the village questionnaire, and library-documentary studies. SPSS, GIS and Excel software have also been used to analyze the data. The study's statistical population is the Rural managers of more than 20 households in the city of Langroud, with 110 Rural managers in 7 villages, which has been done in total.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the research findings, in connection with the first purpose of the research (identifying the spatial pattern of economic sustainability of rural settlements in the study city), it was found that the spatial pattern of economic sustainability and its components (justice, stability, welfare), According to the results obtained from the general statistics of G, the statistics of general Moran and also the statistics of G, is random and one of the most important reasons is the randomness of the spatial pattern of the villages of the city, while in the research (2016) ), The spatial model of economic stability has been clustered; In his research, the spatial pattern of the villages was scattered, but the studied features formed a cluster, but in the present study, the spatial pattern of the villages was random, and the studied features were also random. The giver is that the studied villages have not been affected as much as possible by the surrounding villages. Concerning the second goal, namely the difference in geographical location and the level of economic stability of villages, studies have shown that sustainable villages are located in the plains of the city and as the natural and elevation position of villages goes to the foothills, Their economic stability is also reduced due to the recreational conditions of the mountain villages and the lack of easy access to the city, their dispersion, and the low population of these areas. Therefore, the research hypothesis related to the second question is confirmed that there is a difference between the natural and geographical location of villages and their level of economic stability. These results are consistent with the results of the research of Ghadiri Masoom et al. (2010), who concluded that the villages with the highest level of economic stability are located in the plains, like the current study that economically sustainable villages. There are villages located in the plains with large populations that are more extensive, have a natural location and good communication, and the level of job diversity is relatively higher in them.
According to the obtained results, it can be said that, in general, economic stability in the villages of Langroud county is at a weak level. The natural and communication situation of the villages is one of the most important factors that affect their level of economic stability; As the natural position of the villages moves towards the foothills, the level of economic stability decreases compared to other villages located in the plains. The results indicate that among the villages of Langroud county, the distribution of coefficients of economic stability components has been considerable. In other words, in each of the components of economic stability, several specific villages have the highest level of stability. Furthermore, economic stability in components has not occurred between common villages except in very few cases. In this regard, it can be acknowledged that despite some criteria as good economic stability. Other criteria, such as income level, job opportunities, and investments, are low. There were villages that, for example. The level of economic justice is high, and the level of economic stability is low. Therefore, the economic stability of villages has three components and various indicators that achieving the most desirable state requires the alignment and integration of all components and criteria of economic sustainability. Therefore, with a one-dimensional view of this process, we can not expect the desired results. However, it requires a comprehensive view and attention to all economic sustainability components in Langroud county's villages.
Mahmoud Ganjipour, Mustafa Taleshi, Mohsen Shaterian,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
One of the most important goals of forming states is to provide welfare and development for society, and the development process always calls for the state's action. Therefore, the nature of states, political and ideological philosophy and its structure play a key role in the development process, including rural development. Since the formation of the centralized state in Iran and after 1316, planning has started in its current form, and after 60 years, 12 programs have been prepared in the country, 11 of which have been implemented. During the years before the revolution, 6 programs were prepared, and 5 programs were implemented. After the revolution, 6 programs were prepared and 5 programs were implemented, and the sixth program is being completed. In Iran, most of the stages of rural development have been done within the framework of five-year plans, and investment is the most important tool of the state to achieve rural development. The rural management approach until 1970, in most countries of the world, was influenced by the dominance of top-down development management policies and approaches, which followed the emergence of environmental challenges and socio-economic inequalities, the field of attention and change in the bottom-up development approach. It has been provided since the 1980s in order to balance rural settlements. Therefore, in recent decades, empowerment has been proposed as a mechanism for rural development in Iran. However, were the realities that took place in the country's rural homogeneous with the demands and goals of the programs? In other words, considering the high volume of credits spent every year in rural settlements, the question can be raised: What does investing in rural settlements have to do with empowering the villagers? Has the agent of change being able to bring about the necessary changes and transformations in order to empower the villagers? In this study, by recognizing state investments in rural and their role in empowering villagers, how they affect the rural of Kashan was analyzed.
Methodology
The method of the present study is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population was 15255 rural households in Kashan district, and the sample size was 316 people. In this research, using the classification method and using a three-dimensional matrix, indicators such as state investment (effective index), geographical location of the rural and population were considered as effective indicators for determining the sample. Finally, 12 villages were selected. In this article, SPSS software was used to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire so that using the KMO test, the validity of the rural household head questionnaire to measure the level of rural empowerment is equal to 0.867 and the validity of the rural household head questionnaire to measure investment The state is calculated to be 0.826. Also, based on the results of the structural validity test, Cronbach's alpha coefficient obtained from the rural household heads questionnaire to measure the level of rural empowerment is equal to 0.974, and the rural household heads questionnaire to measure state investment is equal to 0.846. In this way, the validity and reliability of the questionnaire are confirmed. Furthermore, to explain the relationships between independent and dependent variables, regression analysis and coefficient of determination (R2) were used, and for other spatial analyses, SPSS software was used.
Discussion and conclusion
Findings from field studies indicate a strong, positive and direct relationship between the two variables of investment and rural empowerment (P = 0.000). In other words, based on the coefficient of determination, 13.5% of the variance of rural empowerment is explained by state investment. According to multivariate regression analysis, the variables of physical-spatial investment (BETA = 0.301), social investment (BETA = 0.256) and ecological investment (BETA = 0.228) had the greatest impact on the empowerment variable. As a result, regression analysis shows that with increasing state investment in the studied villages, the rate of rural empowerment also increases.
Therefore, rural empowerment is studied as a new approach to the development of rural areas, with a systematic, integrated and combined view so that self-determination, competence, impact, significance and trust emerge and organize as the driving force of empowerment in rural communities. In this way, the right to development and honorable life in rural areas can be realized objectively. In fact, due to their structural and functional nature, villages are related to all factors of human life, and the challenges cannot be solved with a one-dimensional view. In the integrated view, all factors effectively empower the villagers, and the absence of one of the factors challenges the process of empowering rural communities. According to what has been said, the results of the article provide some strategic points: Lack of careful study and evaluation of developments in rural areas after the arrival of investments. On the other hand, different perceptions of the concepts of capacity building and empowerment in practice have maintained problems in rural society. Finally, in order to achieve the empowerment of local communities through the role of the state in the development of a list perspective, there are significant proposals that should be pursued through the state, realistic and targeted facilitation models. Thus, in sustainable rural development programs, participatory and facilitator planning, realistic, bottom-up and decentralized, conducting regional and local planning studies, deepening indigenous knowledge bases in rural issues, promoting individual responsibility at the design levels, and program implementation must be considered.
One of the most important goals of forming states is to provide welfare and development for society, and the development process always calls for the state's action. Therefore, the nature of states, political and ideological philosophy and its structure play a key role in the development process, including rural development. Since the formation of the centralized state in Iran and after 1316, planning has started in its current form, and after 60 years, 12 programs have been prepared in the country, 11 of which have been implemented. During the years before the revolution, 6 programs were prepared, and 5 programs were implemented. After the revolution, 6 programs were prepared and 5 programs were implemented, and the sixth program is being completed. In Iran, most of the stages of rural development have been done within the framework of five-year plans, and investment is the most important tool of the state to achieve rural development. The rural management approach until 1970, in most countries of the world, was influenced by the dominance of top-down development management policies and approaches, which followed the emergence of environmental challenges and socio-economic inequalities, the field of attention and change in the bottom-up development approach. It has been provided since the 1980s in order to balance rural settlements. Therefore, in recent decades, empowerment has been proposed as a mechanism for rural development in Iran. However, were the realities that took place in the country's rural homogeneous with the demands and goals of the programs? In other words, considering the high volume of credits spent every year in rural settlements, the question can be raised: What does investing in rural settlements have to do with empowering the villagers? Has the agent of change being able to bring about the necessary changes and transformations in order to empower the villagers? In this study, by recognizing state investments in rural and their role in empowering villagers, how they affect the rural of Kashan was analyzed.
Methodology
The method of the present study is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population was 15255 rural households in Kashan district, and the sample size was 316 people. In this research, using the classification method and using a three-dimensional matrix, indicators such as state investment (effective index), geographical location of the rural and population were considered as effective indicators for determining the sample. Finally, 12 villages were selected. In this article, SPSS software was used to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire so that using the KMO test, the validity of the rural household head questionnaire to measure the level of rural empowerment is equal to 0.867 and the validity of the rural household head questionnaire to measure investment The state is calculated to be 0.826. Also, based on the results of the structural validity test, Cronbach's alpha coefficient obtained from the rural household heads questionnaire to measure the level of rural empowerment is equal to 0.974, and the rural household heads questionnaire to measure state investment is equal to 0.846. In this way, the validity and reliability of the questionnaire are confirmed. Furthermore, to explain the relationships between independent and dependent variables, regression analysis and coefficient of determination (R2) were used, and for other spatial analyses, SPSS software was used.
Discussion and conclusion
Findings from field studies indicate a strong, positive and direct relationship between the two variables of investment and rural empowerment (P = 0.000). In other words, based on the coefficient of determination, 13.5% of the variance of rural empowerment is explained by state investment. According to multivariate regression analysis, the variables of physical-spatial investment (BETA = 0.301), social investment (BETA = 0.256) and ecological investment (BETA = 0.228) had the greatest impact on the empowerment variable. As a result, regression analysis shows that with increasing state investment in the studied villages, the rate of rural empowerment also increases.
Therefore, rural empowerment is studied as a new approach to the development of rural areas, with a systematic, integrated and combined view so that self-determination, competence, impact, significance and trust emerge and organize as the driving force of empowerment in rural communities. In this way, the right to development and honorable life in rural areas can be realized objectively. In fact, due to their structural and functional nature, villages are related to all factors of human life, and the challenges cannot be solved with a one-dimensional view. In the integrated view, all factors effectively empower the villagers, and the absence of one of the factors challenges the process of empowering rural communities. According to what has been said, the results of the article provide some strategic points: Lack of careful study and evaluation of developments in rural areas after the arrival of investments. On the other hand, different perceptions of the concepts of capacity building and empowerment in practice have maintained problems in rural society. Finally, in order to achieve the empowerment of local communities through the role of the state in the development of a list perspective, there are significant proposals that should be pursued through the state, realistic and targeted facilitation models. Thus, in sustainable rural development programs, participatory and facilitator planning, realistic, bottom-up and decentralized, conducting regional and local planning studies, deepening indigenous knowledge bases in rural issues, promoting individual responsibility at the design levels, and program implementation must be considered.
Roya Rahimi, Hamed Ghaderzadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Nowadays, one of the main challenges for the existing and growing human population is food providing. The use of water resources such as natural lakes, reservoirs, dams and rivers are crucial for accessing new food sources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the construction of Azad dam with an emphasis on structural changes in the affected villages. Water as key of life has a special place in geographical studies. Water is the vital factors to activate of human in its environment because the relationship of human with natural environment without water resource or access will be without support. Therefore, people have always been searching for means to access water. Among these ways, dams play crucial role in storage of current water resource, and storage of water behind dams can be used in different ways. Technology to control, manage, storage and transfer water, besides producing energy, is important for sustainable management of water resources to reach an optimum situation and consumption. The economic evaluation of activities for dams is important in two views: first to optimize allocation and second to justify dams for stakeholders. The current study aims to evaluate the constructed Azad dam in Kalatarzan District, Sanandaj County, Kurdistan Province, Iran. So this study analyzes economic issues in view of people who live the dam base on tangible benefits and costs using benefit-cost method from merely available data and not necessarily long run profits and losses.
Methodology
Respondents were selected by simple random sampling method. The statistical population includes the heads of households living in the villages along the Azad Dam in the Kalatarzan District. Data were collected through a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews in 2021. 146 respondent were determined and asked. Descriptive statistics and cost-benefit model were used to analyze the research data. The number of villages around dam are four.
Discussion and conclusion
The study regarded the decrease in the value of changes in agricultural production (after construction compared to before) and the value of benefits and costs of the dam for the villagers around the dam. The results showed that the total benefits and cost are 65557.3 and 146368.14 million Tomans (IR), respectively. Also, the benefit-cost ratio (at a discount rate of 18 per cent) is 0.4480. As a result, the project of constructing Azad dam for those who live around it has no economic justification. However, the evaluation of results may change, considering all other positive effects such as tourism extension, employment for local people to manage the dam, fishing activities and hunting or negative effects like fast changing of living pattern, climate changes, increase of activity constraints due to live around dam. More specifically, the number of households before dam were about 209 and after that reached to 179 due to decrease of agricultural land that have been sold to dam project. To compensate this loss, a deeper investigation may help to increase labor productivity and hold human capital over there. If human capital will be enhanced in the study area, more value will be added due to the investment and consequently reduced population will be compensated.
According to the area capacity, there are lot of economic opportunity which can take place after dam construction. According to the results, we recommend to establish a study regarding to find out the optimum cropping pattern to increase the income and reduce the losses. Added value of storage water in the area may guarantee investment to constructed dam and its safety. Therefore, the policy maker should provide the complementary activities emphasizing people culture and area advantages.
Nowadays, one of the main challenges for the existing and growing human population is food providing. The use of water resources such as natural lakes, reservoirs, dams and rivers are crucial for accessing new food sources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the construction of Azad dam with an emphasis on structural changes in the affected villages. Water as key of life has a special place in geographical studies. Water is the vital factors to activate of human in its environment because the relationship of human with natural environment without water resource or access will be without support. Therefore, people have always been searching for means to access water. Among these ways, dams play crucial role in storage of current water resource, and storage of water behind dams can be used in different ways. Technology to control, manage, storage and transfer water, besides producing energy, is important for sustainable management of water resources to reach an optimum situation and consumption. The economic evaluation of activities for dams is important in two views: first to optimize allocation and second to justify dams for stakeholders. The current study aims to evaluate the constructed Azad dam in Kalatarzan District, Sanandaj County, Kurdistan Province, Iran. So this study analyzes economic issues in view of people who live the dam base on tangible benefits and costs using benefit-cost method from merely available data and not necessarily long run profits and losses.
Methodology
Respondents were selected by simple random sampling method. The statistical population includes the heads of households living in the villages along the Azad Dam in the Kalatarzan District. Data were collected through a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews in 2021. 146 respondent were determined and asked. Descriptive statistics and cost-benefit model were used to analyze the research data. The number of villages around dam are four.
Discussion and conclusion
The study regarded the decrease in the value of changes in agricultural production (after construction compared to before) and the value of benefits and costs of the dam for the villagers around the dam. The results showed that the total benefits and cost are 65557.3 and 146368.14 million Tomans (IR), respectively. Also, the benefit-cost ratio (at a discount rate of 18 per cent) is 0.4480. As a result, the project of constructing Azad dam for those who live around it has no economic justification. However, the evaluation of results may change, considering all other positive effects such as tourism extension, employment for local people to manage the dam, fishing activities and hunting or negative effects like fast changing of living pattern, climate changes, increase of activity constraints due to live around dam. More specifically, the number of households before dam were about 209 and after that reached to 179 due to decrease of agricultural land that have been sold to dam project. To compensate this loss, a deeper investigation may help to increase labor productivity and hold human capital over there. If human capital will be enhanced in the study area, more value will be added due to the investment and consequently reduced population will be compensated.
According to the area capacity, there are lot of economic opportunity which can take place after dam construction. According to the results, we recommend to establish a study regarding to find out the optimum cropping pattern to increase the income and reduce the losses. Added value of storage water in the area may guarantee investment to constructed dam and its safety. Therefore, the policy maker should provide the complementary activities emphasizing people culture and area advantages.
Akbar Pourfaraj, Maryam Naghavi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Agritourism, regarded as a sustainable development strategy for rural communities, is a tool for economic diversification and conserving land resources, agricultural landscapes and cultural assets. The rural areas of Mazandaran Province are a significant agricultural hub of the country due to their abundant capabilities such as soil fertility, vast plains, good climate and sufficient water resources. This province is also known as one of the most visited tourist destinations with mass tourism form in the country. These capabilities are compatible with developing niche tourism, such as agritourism. Therefore, it is necessary for the tourism governance of Mazandaran to combine the activities of the two sectors of agriculture and tourism to encourage and promote agritourism to preserve the region's agricultural lands and agricultural heritage and traditions in order to prevent unsustainable development. However, success in agritourism requires attention to the issue of planning and demand management to attract interested tourists and also understanding why and how the behavioral processes pattern and their travel decisions. Therefore, this study aims to understand the factors affecting the behavioral intentions of tourists towards agritourism in rural areas of Mazandaran Province. In order to understand and explain the decision-making process, the Planned Behavior model was used to examine the attitudes of tourists towards agricultural activities, their subjective norms and perceived behavioral control as determinants of tourists' behavioral intentions. This model provides suitable conditions for obtaining the necessary information and awareness about tourists' specific behaviors and inclinations towards agritourism.
Methodology
This descriptive and quantitative study is based on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The study's statistical population is the tourist who has experience travelling to rural areas of Mazandaran. The number of statistical samples was estimated at 220 people. Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic and specialized questions. Specialized questions included two items for measuring behavioral intention variable (BI), two items for attitude towards agritourism (ATT), three items for subjective norms (SN), three items for perceived behavioral control variable (PBC) and one item for past experience (PE). The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using content, construct, convergent, divergent and diagnostic validity. Also, its reliability was confirmed by composite reliability and pre-test of 30 questionnaires based on Cronbach's alpha test. Data classification and analysis were performed through SPSS25 and SmartPLS3.3.3.
Discussion and conclusion
Finally, the results showed that the factors of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had affected the behavioral intentions of tourists to visit agricultural farms and rural areas in Mazandaran Province. It was also found that tourists with a positive belief and attitude towards agritourism activities are more inclined to visit agricultural and rural environments. Compared to other factors determining behavioral intentions, subjective norms have the greatest impact on the intention to the agricultural and rural environment. In other words, the intention to visit increases when people (such as family, relatives, friends or colleagues) and influential persons in virtual spaces recommend travelling to agricultural destinations in rural areas of Mazandaran Province. According to Hofstede's cultural dimensions (national culture), Iran is ranked as one of the collectivist countries and cultures (41), and therefore the people of our society are more affected by social norms. Furthermore, this study found that perceived behavioral control has a positive effect on the behavioral intentions of tourists to visit the agricultural environment of rural areas in Mazandaran Province. Tourists believe that their confidence in their ability to make such trips, as well as enough money and time for vacations, influences their behavioral intentions to visit the agricultural and rural areas of this destination. Although past experience is effective in the relationship between attitude and behavioral intentions, the past experience of tourists had a moderate effect. In this province, because most of the lands are engaged in agricultural activities, little attention has been paid to agritourism activities. In other words, agritourism is a new sector in this traditional destination. Therefore, the previous experiences of tourists do not include in-depth and participatory experiences in agritourism activities and include items such as entertainment and shopping. It should be noted that tourists in this study had a strong tendency to participate in recreational and entertainment activities and did not want to participate in agritourism activities because most of the tourists in this destination are leisure tourists and are not specialized tourists agritourism. Therefore, creating a brand and a new image of rural areas of Mazandaran as an agritourism destination is recommended.
Agritourism, regarded as a sustainable development strategy for rural communities, is a tool for economic diversification and conserving land resources, agricultural landscapes and cultural assets. The rural areas of Mazandaran Province are a significant agricultural hub of the country due to their abundant capabilities such as soil fertility, vast plains, good climate and sufficient water resources. This province is also known as one of the most visited tourist destinations with mass tourism form in the country. These capabilities are compatible with developing niche tourism, such as agritourism. Therefore, it is necessary for the tourism governance of Mazandaran to combine the activities of the two sectors of agriculture and tourism to encourage and promote agritourism to preserve the region's agricultural lands and agricultural heritage and traditions in order to prevent unsustainable development. However, success in agritourism requires attention to the issue of planning and demand management to attract interested tourists and also understanding why and how the behavioral processes pattern and their travel decisions. Therefore, this study aims to understand the factors affecting the behavioral intentions of tourists towards agritourism in rural areas of Mazandaran Province. In order to understand and explain the decision-making process, the Planned Behavior model was used to examine the attitudes of tourists towards agricultural activities, their subjective norms and perceived behavioral control as determinants of tourists' behavioral intentions. This model provides suitable conditions for obtaining the necessary information and awareness about tourists' specific behaviors and inclinations towards agritourism.
Methodology
This descriptive and quantitative study is based on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The study's statistical population is the tourist who has experience travelling to rural areas of Mazandaran. The number of statistical samples was estimated at 220 people. Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic and specialized questions. Specialized questions included two items for measuring behavioral intention variable (BI), two items for attitude towards agritourism (ATT), three items for subjective norms (SN), three items for perceived behavioral control variable (PBC) and one item for past experience (PE). The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using content, construct, convergent, divergent and diagnostic validity. Also, its reliability was confirmed by composite reliability and pre-test of 30 questionnaires based on Cronbach's alpha test. Data classification and analysis were performed through SPSS25 and SmartPLS3.3.3.
Discussion and conclusion
Finally, the results showed that the factors of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had affected the behavioral intentions of tourists to visit agricultural farms and rural areas in Mazandaran Province. It was also found that tourists with a positive belief and attitude towards agritourism activities are more inclined to visit agricultural and rural environments. Compared to other factors determining behavioral intentions, subjective norms have the greatest impact on the intention to the agricultural and rural environment. In other words, the intention to visit increases when people (such as family, relatives, friends or colleagues) and influential persons in virtual spaces recommend travelling to agricultural destinations in rural areas of Mazandaran Province. According to Hofstede's cultural dimensions (national culture), Iran is ranked as one of the collectivist countries and cultures (41), and therefore the people of our society are more affected by social norms. Furthermore, this study found that perceived behavioral control has a positive effect on the behavioral intentions of tourists to visit the agricultural environment of rural areas in Mazandaran Province. Tourists believe that their confidence in their ability to make such trips, as well as enough money and time for vacations, influences their behavioral intentions to visit the agricultural and rural areas of this destination. Although past experience is effective in the relationship between attitude and behavioral intentions, the past experience of tourists had a moderate effect. In this province, because most of the lands are engaged in agricultural activities, little attention has been paid to agritourism activities. In other words, agritourism is a new sector in this traditional destination. Therefore, the previous experiences of tourists do not include in-depth and participatory experiences in agritourism activities and include items such as entertainment and shopping. It should be noted that tourists in this study had a strong tendency to participate in recreational and entertainment activities and did not want to participate in agritourism activities because most of the tourists in this destination are leisure tourists and are not specialized tourists agritourism. Therefore, creating a brand and a new image of rural areas of Mazandaran as an agritourism destination is recommended.
Kulthum Tahmasabi, Bijan Rezaee, Nader Naderi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Villagers and their entrepreneurial skills are important social and economic factors in society and undoubtedly important solutions for rural development, which is also part of the country's sustainable development. In the new theories of rural development, entrepreneurship is a suitable solution for empowerment and capacity building in rural areas to change the current life pattern, reduce the gap between the city and the countryside, and create economic, environmental and institutional economic equality. Many researchers believe that entrepreneurial activities by women have a prominent role in the health of the national economy. In a short time, women were able to create considerable changes in the economic development of countries after being entrepreneurs. However, there are some issues in woman’s empowerment, including the lack of participation of women as half of the country's population (49% of the total population) in social and economic activities, the existence of a large number of women in Iranian society below the poverty line, the lack of self-confidence and self-esteem among them to participate in various social activities, their lack of awareness and knowledge of labor market information, technical and professional training courses, working environment conditions, labor law and most importantly cultural specificities.
Nahavand County is in a good position for integrated development because of its strategic position and abundant resources. However, despite having capabilities, their optimal usage has yet to be made for this county. The rural people of Nahavand County, located south of Hamadan Province, have a very high migration rate due to unemployment and a lack of facilities. For this reason, the problem in the study area is the low level of women's entrepreneurship, personal abilities such as self-confidence and self-esteem, support from the government support and behavioral environment. Therefore, the main issue in this research is analysing factors affecting rural women's entrepreneurship in Nahavand County.
Methodology
This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlative in terms of method, so the study follows the positivism paradigm. The statistical population of the research consists of women entrepreneurs in the villages of Nahavand County, and a total of 110 people were surveyed as a sample. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. Analysis of the obtained data was done using SmartPLS3 software.
Discussion and conclusion
The research findings indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between individual factors, family factors, economic factors, sociocultural factors and entrepreneurship of rural women, based on the results of path analysis, the influence of individual factors (0.556); family factors (0.125); economic factors (0.398); cultural-social factors (0.349), which shows the impact of all identified factors on rural women's entrepreneurship. Also, individual and economic criteria had the greatest impact on rural women's entrepreneurship.
Villagers and their entrepreneurial skills are important social and economic factors in society and undoubtedly important solutions for rural development, which is also part of the country's sustainable development. In the new theories of rural development, entrepreneurship is a suitable solution for empowerment and capacity building in rural areas to change the current life pattern, reduce the gap between the city and the countryside, and create economic, environmental and institutional economic equality. Many researchers believe that entrepreneurial activities by women have a prominent role in the health of the national economy. In a short time, women were able to create considerable changes in the economic development of countries after being entrepreneurs. However, there are some issues in woman’s empowerment, including the lack of participation of women as half of the country's population (49% of the total population) in social and economic activities, the existence of a large number of women in Iranian society below the poverty line, the lack of self-confidence and self-esteem among them to participate in various social activities, their lack of awareness and knowledge of labor market information, technical and professional training courses, working environment conditions, labor law and most importantly cultural specificities.
Nahavand County is in a good position for integrated development because of its strategic position and abundant resources. However, despite having capabilities, their optimal usage has yet to be made for this county. The rural people of Nahavand County, located south of Hamadan Province, have a very high migration rate due to unemployment and a lack of facilities. For this reason, the problem in the study area is the low level of women's entrepreneurship, personal abilities such as self-confidence and self-esteem, support from the government support and behavioral environment. Therefore, the main issue in this research is analysing factors affecting rural women's entrepreneurship in Nahavand County.
Methodology
This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlative in terms of method, so the study follows the positivism paradigm. The statistical population of the research consists of women entrepreneurs in the villages of Nahavand County, and a total of 110 people were surveyed as a sample. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. Analysis of the obtained data was done using SmartPLS3 software.
Discussion and conclusion
The research findings indicated that there is a positive and significant relationship between individual factors, family factors, economic factors, sociocultural factors and entrepreneurship of rural women, based on the results of path analysis, the influence of individual factors (0.556); family factors (0.125); economic factors (0.398); cultural-social factors (0.349), which shows the impact of all identified factors on rural women's entrepreneurship. Also, individual and economic criteria had the greatest impact on rural women's entrepreneurship.
Khalil Mirzaei, Aazam Skakouri, Marjan Sepahpanah, Fereshteh Avatefiakmal, Masoud Samian,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Entrepreneurship in rural areas can create new job opportunities and increase income, leading to improved economic and living conditions for villagers. As a result, the concept of entrepreneurship has become more closely linked to the development of villages compared to the past. Encouraging rural entrepreneurship can contribute to rural communities' economic growth by recognizing the agricultural sector's strengths and weaknesses. This can be achieved through effective strategic planning, promoting creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Doing so helps prevent a policy of state-centralism, which prioritizes the convenience and obedience of villagers. Several benefits are associated with rural entrepreneurship, including the development of employment opportunities, reduction in rural migrations, increased income, and innovation. Despite these advantages, rural entrepreneurship has not yet flourished in Iran's rural communities, and entrepreneurial activity has not been institutionalized in these areas. Research conducted in various countries, including Iran, has revealed that rural entrepreneurship encounters numerous obstacles. These include limited access to skilled labor in rural regions, low levels of education, knowledge, and technical skills, and inadequate knowledge of information technology in rural areas.
Furthermore, the absence of a supportive family, societal, and support system environment does not foster rural entrepreneurship growth. It does not motivate rural individuals to pursue entrepreneurship as a career. Young and educated people often leave the villages and go to big cities hoping for a better future, more income, and easier life, and this phenomenon of brain drain causes a lack of reincarnation and matching between existing jobs and the workforce's skills. The rest is in the villages. It is important to acknowledge the significance of rural entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities for implementing sustainable rural development programs and policies. However, there are numerous challenges that must be addressed in order to enhance this field and provide opportunities for employment. Developing strategies that can effectively reduce or eliminate these challenges and problems will help promote a better quality of life and livelihood for those living in rural areas.
Methodology
This research aimed to conduct an applied, analytical, and exploratory study. The necessary data was gathered through both library research and a questionnaire. In the initial phase, an environmental survey was utilized to identify the key factors that impact rural development in Hamedan Province, specifically in relation to entrepreneurship and home-based businesses. Faculty members of the agricultural development training group and rural planning experts confirmed the validity of extracted indicators. The statistical population of this research was ten experts and specialists in rural development and planning. In the next step, the interviewees are asked to declare their agreement or disagreement and their level with each title using a Likert scale. In other words, they are quantifiable. At this stage, the components that get a score lower than the average will be removed from the research, and the remaining components will enter the next stage. In the following, to identify the drivers among the key factors obtained in the previous section, a mutual effects questionnaire was designed and returned to the interviewees, and they were asked to score. The weighting of this questionnaire was measured as a pairwise comparison, and the correlation between the variables was measured between zero and three. MIC MAC software was used for data analysis in this research and this step. Wizard software was also used to develop scenarios.
Discussion and conclusion
The findings revealed that, apart from the current connections between the indicators, there were potential forms of relationships among them. These can be utilized in the planning process. The results show that the factors with the greatest impact on the system are investing enough financial resources in villages, providing women with a legitimate presence in various areas including politics, law, society, culture, economics, and operations, and defining a participatory planning model within the legal framework of Hamadan Province.
Some indicators have a greater impact than others on the state and changes of a system. These critical indicators are considered input variables that the system cannot control. The "Improvement of rural tourism infrastructure" index is a system risk index. It has a very high capacity to become the key player of the system because, due to its unstable nature, they have the potential to become the system's breaking point. The indicators of "Strengthening, creating confidence and raising awareness among villagers to meet their basic needs, such as free education in primary levels, university education, skills, job creation" and "Approval of laws to support rural businesses during severe currency fluctuations" are effective. They rely heavily on the changes in important and dual variables and are easily affected by them. These variables represent the system's output. After analyzing indicators in the Wizard software, two scenarios were identified. The first scenario, "Paying Attention to Local Planning," was one of them. This scenario had high compatibility. The elements of this reported scenario constitute a complete set of mutually supporting assumptions. Also the second scenario was called "sectional planning". According to the results of the research, local planning can be done in each of the villages of Hamadan Province, looking at the capacity and potential of that region for sustainable rural development.
Entrepreneurship in rural areas can create new job opportunities and increase income, leading to improved economic and living conditions for villagers. As a result, the concept of entrepreneurship has become more closely linked to the development of villages compared to the past. Encouraging rural entrepreneurship can contribute to rural communities' economic growth by recognizing the agricultural sector's strengths and weaknesses. This can be achieved through effective strategic planning, promoting creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Doing so helps prevent a policy of state-centralism, which prioritizes the convenience and obedience of villagers. Several benefits are associated with rural entrepreneurship, including the development of employment opportunities, reduction in rural migrations, increased income, and innovation. Despite these advantages, rural entrepreneurship has not yet flourished in Iran's rural communities, and entrepreneurial activity has not been institutionalized in these areas. Research conducted in various countries, including Iran, has revealed that rural entrepreneurship encounters numerous obstacles. These include limited access to skilled labor in rural regions, low levels of education, knowledge, and technical skills, and inadequate knowledge of information technology in rural areas.
Furthermore, the absence of a supportive family, societal, and support system environment does not foster rural entrepreneurship growth. It does not motivate rural individuals to pursue entrepreneurship as a career. Young and educated people often leave the villages and go to big cities hoping for a better future, more income, and easier life, and this phenomenon of brain drain causes a lack of reincarnation and matching between existing jobs and the workforce's skills. The rest is in the villages. It is important to acknowledge the significance of rural entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities for implementing sustainable rural development programs and policies. However, there are numerous challenges that must be addressed in order to enhance this field and provide opportunities for employment. Developing strategies that can effectively reduce or eliminate these challenges and problems will help promote a better quality of life and livelihood for those living in rural areas.
Methodology
This research aimed to conduct an applied, analytical, and exploratory study. The necessary data was gathered through both library research and a questionnaire. In the initial phase, an environmental survey was utilized to identify the key factors that impact rural development in Hamedan Province, specifically in relation to entrepreneurship and home-based businesses. Faculty members of the agricultural development training group and rural planning experts confirmed the validity of extracted indicators. The statistical population of this research was ten experts and specialists in rural development and planning. In the next step, the interviewees are asked to declare their agreement or disagreement and their level with each title using a Likert scale. In other words, they are quantifiable. At this stage, the components that get a score lower than the average will be removed from the research, and the remaining components will enter the next stage. In the following, to identify the drivers among the key factors obtained in the previous section, a mutual effects questionnaire was designed and returned to the interviewees, and they were asked to score. The weighting of this questionnaire was measured as a pairwise comparison, and the correlation between the variables was measured between zero and three. MIC MAC software was used for data analysis in this research and this step. Wizard software was also used to develop scenarios.
Discussion and conclusion
The findings revealed that, apart from the current connections between the indicators, there were potential forms of relationships among them. These can be utilized in the planning process. The results show that the factors with the greatest impact on the system are investing enough financial resources in villages, providing women with a legitimate presence in various areas including politics, law, society, culture, economics, and operations, and defining a participatory planning model within the legal framework of Hamadan Province.
Some indicators have a greater impact than others on the state and changes of a system. These critical indicators are considered input variables that the system cannot control. The "Improvement of rural tourism infrastructure" index is a system risk index. It has a very high capacity to become the key player of the system because, due to its unstable nature, they have the potential to become the system's breaking point. The indicators of "Strengthening, creating confidence and raising awareness among villagers to meet their basic needs, such as free education in primary levels, university education, skills, job creation" and "Approval of laws to support rural businesses during severe currency fluctuations" are effective. They rely heavily on the changes in important and dual variables and are easily affected by them. These variables represent the system's output. After analyzing indicators in the Wizard software, two scenarios were identified. The first scenario, "Paying Attention to Local Planning," was one of them. This scenario had high compatibility. The elements of this reported scenario constitute a complete set of mutually supporting assumptions. Also the second scenario was called "sectional planning". According to the results of the research, local planning can be done in each of the villages of Hamadan Province, looking at the capacity and potential of that region for sustainable rural development.
Saeid Nasiri Zare, Vahid Riahi,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Publishing scientific papers is one of the most significant ways of sharing research outcomes. Experts and academics regularly publish their original studies and research in related fields through scientific publications. Scientific publications are now published in various fields worldwide, and their development requires meticulous and expert investigations. Scientometric studies are used as one of the scientific methods to examine the performance of scientific journals. Nowadays, scientific journals incorporate scientometrics in their daily decisions to investigate the influencing factors. Research with this approach to analyze The network of scientific cooperations and draw the topic of interesting articles in the scientific journal "Space Economy & Rural Development." Knowing the scientific collaborations and the topic of the articles can provide a comprehensive picture of the type of scientific activities of the journal authors and identify the research's strengths and weaknesses.
Methodology
This research is a quantitative study using scientometric research methods. Theoretical literature was studied using library research methods to gather information for the study's applied purpose. All articles published in the Journal Space Economy & Rural Development are examined in the research. Therefore, the statistical population includes all the articles published in the Journal, compiled by the authors, and accepted by the reviewers between 2011 and 2019. To analyze the scientific cooperation of the authors, the "Network Density," "Degree Centrality," "Betweenness Centrality," "Eigenvector Centrality," and "Clustering Coefficient" have been used. In order to facilitate comprehension of the magazine articles and establish connections between them, a keyword system was employed. The authors of said articles crafted a comprehensive list of keywords in the initial phase. Subsequently, these keywords were subjected to scrutiny, editing, and culling of duplicates. This yielded a set of distinct keywords for use in lexical analysis. At this stage, keywords such as the names of provinces - cities, Theories - models, and general expressions that did not express a specific topic were removed. In the end, 40 keywords remained, which were used for the final analysis. In order to analyze and interpret the results, Ravar Matrix was used to prepare the self-interaction matrix and the co-occurrence of crucial words, the Ucinet program was used to analyze the studied indicators, and according to the limitations of this program, the Gephi program was used to draw graphs and networks.
Discussion and conclusion
Examining and evaluating scientific literature have long been viewed as important for shaping future policies of scientific journals, research planning, and informed decision-making. One effective approach to achieving this goal is by utilizing scientometric analysis methods. In the Journal of space economy and rural development, 364 articles have been published in 9 periods and 36 issues, and the authorship pattern of the authors has been the collaboration of three authors. Most of the journal "Space Economy & Rural Development " articles focus on "Economic Development." "Tourism" and "agriculture" are two central issues in this field, and researchers have investigated the dimensions and fields of development of these businesses in rural areas. However, the subject of interest is to do these articles in a coherent scientific network between authors and researchers. In such a way, more scientific cooperation among authors helps productivity, innovation, and exchange of information. In the Journal of Space Economy & Rural Development, the complete scientific cooperation network has not been formed because the authors are in different scientific fields. This issue has shown the primary attention of the magazine to the subject of the articles without paying attention to the authors. However, among the authors, Ghadiri Masom, Motiee Langroudi, and Riyahi have had the highest number of connections in the Journal's scientific cooperation network. These authors and Rezvani are the most crucial mediators in controlling and transmitting information in the Journal's scientific network.
On the other hand, most authors were from the University of Tehran, Kharazmi and Payam Noor of Tehran, who have less desire to cooperate in the scientific network of the magazine with other authors. However, in order to realize the scientific development of the Journal, the planners of the Journal can encourage the scientific perspective of the Journal by presenting clear goals and accepting novel topics that have been given less attention in the field of rural development. The use of editorial boards with different scientific fields (according to the scientific network of the Journal, which represents various scientific expertise in this field) can also contribute to the quality of presenting and publishing articles in the Journal.
Publishing scientific papers is one of the most significant ways of sharing research outcomes. Experts and academics regularly publish their original studies and research in related fields through scientific publications. Scientific publications are now published in various fields worldwide, and their development requires meticulous and expert investigations. Scientometric studies are used as one of the scientific methods to examine the performance of scientific journals. Nowadays, scientific journals incorporate scientometrics in their daily decisions to investigate the influencing factors. Research with this approach to analyze The network of scientific cooperations and draw the topic of interesting articles in the scientific journal "Space Economy & Rural Development." Knowing the scientific collaborations and the topic of the articles can provide a comprehensive picture of the type of scientific activities of the journal authors and identify the research's strengths and weaknesses.
Methodology
This research is a quantitative study using scientometric research methods. Theoretical literature was studied using library research methods to gather information for the study's applied purpose. All articles published in the Journal Space Economy & Rural Development are examined in the research. Therefore, the statistical population includes all the articles published in the Journal, compiled by the authors, and accepted by the reviewers between 2011 and 2019. To analyze the scientific cooperation of the authors, the "Network Density," "Degree Centrality," "Betweenness Centrality," "Eigenvector Centrality," and "Clustering Coefficient" have been used. In order to facilitate comprehension of the magazine articles and establish connections between them, a keyword system was employed. The authors of said articles crafted a comprehensive list of keywords in the initial phase. Subsequently, these keywords were subjected to scrutiny, editing, and culling of duplicates. This yielded a set of distinct keywords for use in lexical analysis. At this stage, keywords such as the names of provinces - cities, Theories - models, and general expressions that did not express a specific topic were removed. In the end, 40 keywords remained, which were used for the final analysis. In order to analyze and interpret the results, Ravar Matrix was used to prepare the self-interaction matrix and the co-occurrence of crucial words, the Ucinet program was used to analyze the studied indicators, and according to the limitations of this program, the Gephi program was used to draw graphs and networks.
Discussion and conclusion
Examining and evaluating scientific literature have long been viewed as important for shaping future policies of scientific journals, research planning, and informed decision-making. One effective approach to achieving this goal is by utilizing scientometric analysis methods. In the Journal of space economy and rural development, 364 articles have been published in 9 periods and 36 issues, and the authorship pattern of the authors has been the collaboration of three authors. Most of the journal "Space Economy & Rural Development " articles focus on "Economic Development." "Tourism" and "agriculture" are two central issues in this field, and researchers have investigated the dimensions and fields of development of these businesses in rural areas. However, the subject of interest is to do these articles in a coherent scientific network between authors and researchers. In such a way, more scientific cooperation among authors helps productivity, innovation, and exchange of information. In the Journal of Space Economy & Rural Development, the complete scientific cooperation network has not been formed because the authors are in different scientific fields. This issue has shown the primary attention of the magazine to the subject of the articles without paying attention to the authors. However, among the authors, Ghadiri Masom, Motiee Langroudi, and Riyahi have had the highest number of connections in the Journal's scientific cooperation network. These authors and Rezvani are the most crucial mediators in controlling and transmitting information in the Journal's scientific network.
On the other hand, most authors were from the University of Tehran, Kharazmi and Payam Noor of Tehran, who have less desire to cooperate in the scientific network of the magazine with other authors. However, in order to realize the scientific development of the Journal, the planners of the Journal can encourage the scientific perspective of the Journal by presenting clear goals and accepting novel topics that have been given less attention in the field of rural development. The use of editorial boards with different scientific fields (according to the scientific network of the Journal, which represents various scientific expertise in this field) can also contribute to the quality of presenting and publishing articles in the Journal.
Fateh Habibi,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Tourism has become a crucial component of economic and manufacturing activities in both developed and developing countries. Tourist attractions, alongside other elements, serve as the foundation of the tourism industry and create the necessary conditions to attract visitors. Many developed countries have shown that focusing on tourism is crucial for national advancement and should be a top priority. Currently, there is fierce competition among countries to draw in tourists. Tourism is a dynamic industry with distinct characteristics, and it now contributes significantly to the economic and manufacturing sectors of both developed and developing nations. Iran's government has also emphasized tourism development in recent years, implementing various methods and approaches to promote social and economic growth in different regions. Tourism has experienced significant growth over the past 20 years, becoming one of the largest and most rapidly expanding industries worldwide. It has now become a primary economic sector in many countries, generating foreign exchange earnings on a large scale. By 2020, the number of international tourists globally is projected to rise to 1.6 billion, with tourism receipts expected to reach $200 billion. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts that the travel and tourism industry will remain one of the largest in the world. In 2015, the industry contributed 9.8% to the global GDP and provided 279 million jobs. By 2025, it is expected to increase to 10.5% of the global GDP and create 356 million jobs.
Methodology
The development of Multi-Attribute Decision Procedures, including fuzzy models and multi-criteria fuzzy methods, has led to a significant breakthrough in sustainability analysis. One method that has gained considerable attention in this field is the TOPSIS technique, which stands for "Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution." TOPSIS is a method that identifies solutions from a finite set of alternatives using multiple criteria. This study aims to evaluate and prioritize cities in Kurdistan Province using the TOPSIS model. The objective of the study determines the research methodology and involves collecting descriptive data and conducting correlation analysis. The statistical population for this research comprises the residents of the villages under investigation.
Discussion and conclusion
Tourism can potentially increase foreign exchange earnings and generate employment, making it a crucial industry for the balanced and sustainable development of Kurdistan province. The sector can create the necessary conditions to attract more visitors by focusing on tourist attractions and other key elements. Many strategies to achieve this goal involve the development of rural and urban areas. Given the high unemployment rate and the need for foreign investment, prioritizing tourism can have significant benefits for the region. The objective of this study was to use the TOPSIS model to assess and rank cities in Kurdistan province based on tourism development indicators. This will facilitate effective and suitable planning. The findings from the one-sample t-test indicate that tourism has both positive and negative impacts on the host community. The economic impact is most prominently seen in terms of income and employment. Additionally, the positive perception of the local populace towards tourism is considered a key social and cultural benefit.
On the other hand, reduction of participation in rural development, loss of rural customs, culture, and local values, and inappropriate modeling of tourists are negative effects of tourism. The results showed that tourism has had adverse environmental effects by destroying the natural landscape of the village, irregular construction, and changing agricultural land use. Also, the ranking results show that the villages of Selin, Palangan, and Zhivar are ranked first to third, respectively. The villages of Balbar, Negel, Dolab, Salvatabad, Darahfi, Maghsah, Najne, Surin, Noura, and Ghomchaghi are ranked fourth to thirteenth, respectively. The sensitivity analysis results showed that Palangan, Celine, and Salavat Abad villages were ranked first to third in different conditions. According to the results, public sector investment in infrastructures, especially roads, and private sector investment is recommended in higher-ranked villages in eco-tourism, handicrafts, and related industries.
Tourism has become a crucial component of economic and manufacturing activities in both developed and developing countries. Tourist attractions, alongside other elements, serve as the foundation of the tourism industry and create the necessary conditions to attract visitors. Many developed countries have shown that focusing on tourism is crucial for national advancement and should be a top priority. Currently, there is fierce competition among countries to draw in tourists. Tourism is a dynamic industry with distinct characteristics, and it now contributes significantly to the economic and manufacturing sectors of both developed and developing nations. Iran's government has also emphasized tourism development in recent years, implementing various methods and approaches to promote social and economic growth in different regions. Tourism has experienced significant growth over the past 20 years, becoming one of the largest and most rapidly expanding industries worldwide. It has now become a primary economic sector in many countries, generating foreign exchange earnings on a large scale. By 2020, the number of international tourists globally is projected to rise to 1.6 billion, with tourism receipts expected to reach $200 billion. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts that the travel and tourism industry will remain one of the largest in the world. In 2015, the industry contributed 9.8% to the global GDP and provided 279 million jobs. By 2025, it is expected to increase to 10.5% of the global GDP and create 356 million jobs.
Methodology
The development of Multi-Attribute Decision Procedures, including fuzzy models and multi-criteria fuzzy methods, has led to a significant breakthrough in sustainability analysis. One method that has gained considerable attention in this field is the TOPSIS technique, which stands for "Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution." TOPSIS is a method that identifies solutions from a finite set of alternatives using multiple criteria. This study aims to evaluate and prioritize cities in Kurdistan Province using the TOPSIS model. The objective of the study determines the research methodology and involves collecting descriptive data and conducting correlation analysis. The statistical population for this research comprises the residents of the villages under investigation.
Discussion and conclusion
Tourism can potentially increase foreign exchange earnings and generate employment, making it a crucial industry for the balanced and sustainable development of Kurdistan province. The sector can create the necessary conditions to attract more visitors by focusing on tourist attractions and other key elements. Many strategies to achieve this goal involve the development of rural and urban areas. Given the high unemployment rate and the need for foreign investment, prioritizing tourism can have significant benefits for the region. The objective of this study was to use the TOPSIS model to assess and rank cities in Kurdistan province based on tourism development indicators. This will facilitate effective and suitable planning. The findings from the one-sample t-test indicate that tourism has both positive and negative impacts on the host community. The economic impact is most prominently seen in terms of income and employment. Additionally, the positive perception of the local populace towards tourism is considered a key social and cultural benefit.
On the other hand, reduction of participation in rural development, loss of rural customs, culture, and local values, and inappropriate modeling of tourists are negative effects of tourism. The results showed that tourism has had adverse environmental effects by destroying the natural landscape of the village, irregular construction, and changing agricultural land use. Also, the ranking results show that the villages of Selin, Palangan, and Zhivar are ranked first to third, respectively. The villages of Balbar, Negel, Dolab, Salvatabad, Darahfi, Maghsah, Najne, Surin, Noura, and Ghomchaghi are ranked fourth to thirteenth, respectively. The sensitivity analysis results showed that Palangan, Celine, and Salavat Abad villages were ranked first to third in different conditions. According to the results, public sector investment in infrastructures, especially roads, and private sector investment is recommended in higher-ranked villages in eco-tourism, handicrafts, and related industries.
Morteza Mokhtari, Moammadreza Ghaedi Far, Roholla Mirmahmoodi, Amir Mousaei, Somayeh Naghavi, Hamid Bideshki, Ahmad Ali Sadeghi,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Quantitative and qualitative improvement of the agricultural sector can increase production productivity, increase farmers' income and create a link between agricultural and non-agricultural poverty reduction programs. Solving or reducing problems and bottlenecks and managing challenges within this sector is necessary. The livestock industry is one of the main sectors of food production needed by humans. Among the various food items produced in the agricultural sector, protein items are essential. On the other hand, in addition to the production of protein foods, this industry plays a significant role in creating employment and providing new job opportunities through the completion of the food production and supply chain. It is impossible to fulfill this vital mission without identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of animal husbandry units and livestock breeders and formulating appropriate strategies to provide management solutions considering the limited resources in each region. The agricultural extension system is one of the main tools for developing the agricultural sector and empowering farmers. Educational and promotional programs are the primary means of realizing agricultural development goals and empowering livestock farmers. This research was carried out to follow the pattern of livestock farmers in livestock promotion training in the southern cities of Kerman.
Methodology
The research method is descriptive, analytical, and based on quantitative and qualitative methods. The statistical population in this research included livestock breeders in the southern rural areas of Kerman Province, with approximately 250 units that had active livestock units in 2019. Cluster sampling was used to collect to avoid wasting time and saving financial resources. It should be noted that 100 animal husbandry units were selected from the sample farmers participating in training and promotion courses. After completing and collecting the questionnaires, statistical analysis was performed using the software Stata 12 software was used. Also, the generalized ordinal logit model was used to investigate the factors affecting the benefit of the farmers from educational and extension courses. When using the ordinal logit model, the coefficients are interpreted rather than directly interpreting the results. If the coefficient is positive, it means that the probability of being placed in one category increases while the probability of being placed in another category decreases. For this purpose, the interpretation of marginal effects should be used.
The ordinal logit model is based on a continuous latent variable, which is shown as follows:
y i * = β X i + ε i -∞ < y i * <∞
Suppose the variabley i *
=1 if -∞< y i * < μ 1 i =1,2,…, n
=2 if μ 1 < y i * < μ 2 i =1,2,…, n
=3 if μ 2 < y i * < μ 3 i =1,2,…, n
….. …. ……. ……
= n if μ t - 1 < y i * <∞ i =1,2,…, n
Discussion and conclusion
According to the findings, several factors such as age, education level, satisfaction with sales and marketing strategies, attitude towards extension experts, primary occupation, and cost of animal feed significantly impact the advantages livestock breeders gain from attending educational and extension programs. Providing educational and promotional courses in different areas is a practical and effective method to enhance the knowledge and skills of villagers. These courses can greatly improve productivity and quality of life if they are conducted under favorable conditions and cater to participants' actual needs. This can also optimize the functioning of all agents within the extension education system. Therefore, the necessary arrangements should be considered for livestock farmers to access the facilities and inputs needed to apply and use promotional recommendations. Based on the information obtained in the present research, it can be concluded that due to the relatively high average age of livestock farmers in the south of Kerman province and considering the usefulness of participating in educational-promotional courses, regular holding of these courses with more emphasis on familiarity with veterinary procedures and livestock diseases, familiarity with food ingredients and animal nutrition management mainly, as well as familiarity with the marketing and sale of livestock products, livestock breeding, and the design of animal husbandry buildings and facilities to a lesser extent. The agenda of the deputy of the Livestock Production Improvement Organization should be placed in the south of Kerman Province. The effectiveness of educational and promotional programs and user satisfaction relies on the proper functioning of various components within the system. These include timely and accurate use of educational aids, relevant content that meets users' needs, and program planning that aligns with existing resources and user living conditions. In this regard, necessary arrangements should be made for access to the facilities and inputs needed for the livestock farmers of the south Kerman region to benefit from training and promotion courses.
Quantitative and qualitative improvement of the agricultural sector can increase production productivity, increase farmers' income and create a link between agricultural and non-agricultural poverty reduction programs. Solving or reducing problems and bottlenecks and managing challenges within this sector is necessary. The livestock industry is one of the main sectors of food production needed by humans. Among the various food items produced in the agricultural sector, protein items are essential. On the other hand, in addition to the production of protein foods, this industry plays a significant role in creating employment and providing new job opportunities through the completion of the food production and supply chain. It is impossible to fulfill this vital mission without identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of animal husbandry units and livestock breeders and formulating appropriate strategies to provide management solutions considering the limited resources in each region. The agricultural extension system is one of the main tools for developing the agricultural sector and empowering farmers. Educational and promotional programs are the primary means of realizing agricultural development goals and empowering livestock farmers. This research was carried out to follow the pattern of livestock farmers in livestock promotion training in the southern cities of Kerman.
Methodology
The research method is descriptive, analytical, and based on quantitative and qualitative methods. The statistical population in this research included livestock breeders in the southern rural areas of Kerman Province, with approximately 250 units that had active livestock units in 2019. Cluster sampling was used to collect to avoid wasting time and saving financial resources. It should be noted that 100 animal husbandry units were selected from the sample farmers participating in training and promotion courses. After completing and collecting the questionnaires, statistical analysis was performed using the software Stata 12 software was used. Also, the generalized ordinal logit model was used to investigate the factors affecting the benefit of the farmers from educational and extension courses. When using the ordinal logit model, the coefficients are interpreted rather than directly interpreting the results. If the coefficient is positive, it means that the probability of being placed in one category increases while the probability of being placed in another category decreases. For this purpose, the interpretation of marginal effects should be used.
The ordinal logit model is based on a continuous latent variable, which is shown as follows:
Suppose the variable
Discussion and conclusion
According to the findings, several factors such as age, education level, satisfaction with sales and marketing strategies, attitude towards extension experts, primary occupation, and cost of animal feed significantly impact the advantages livestock breeders gain from attending educational and extension programs. Providing educational and promotional courses in different areas is a practical and effective method to enhance the knowledge and skills of villagers. These courses can greatly improve productivity and quality of life if they are conducted under favorable conditions and cater to participants' actual needs. This can also optimize the functioning of all agents within the extension education system. Therefore, the necessary arrangements should be considered for livestock farmers to access the facilities and inputs needed to apply and use promotional recommendations. Based on the information obtained in the present research, it can be concluded that due to the relatively high average age of livestock farmers in the south of Kerman province and considering the usefulness of participating in educational-promotional courses, regular holding of these courses with more emphasis on familiarity with veterinary procedures and livestock diseases, familiarity with food ingredients and animal nutrition management mainly, as well as familiarity with the marketing and sale of livestock products, livestock breeding, and the design of animal husbandry buildings and facilities to a lesser extent. The agenda of the deputy of the Livestock Production Improvement Organization should be placed in the south of Kerman Province. The effectiveness of educational and promotional programs and user satisfaction relies on the proper functioning of various components within the system. These include timely and accurate use of educational aids, relevant content that meets users' needs, and program planning that aligns with existing resources and user living conditions. In this regard, necessary arrangements should be made for access to the facilities and inputs needed for the livestock farmers of the south Kerman region to benefit from training and promotion courses.
Mojgan Ghalami Cheragh Tapeh, Alireza Darban Astaneh, Mohammad Amin Khorasani,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Rural tourism is a sustainable form of rural development that utilizes the resources available in rural areas. However, due to geographical isolation and lack of benefits, these areas often have untapped potential. This lack of development prevents strengthening of social and economic foundations within local communities. Regarding tourism planning in certain areas, previous research has focused on identifying important factors and drivers. However, there is a lack of certainty surrounding regional development in the planning process. To address this, planners and scenario writers can use these factors as a control mechanism to map and manage the desired future.
Methodology
The purpose of this research is to create scenarios that will help determine the factors that impact the growth of rural tourism in Urmia County. The study will use the Wizard scenario to identify key variables that contribute to sustainable tourism in the villages within the county. Ultimately, the goal is to develop scenarios that will enhance the feasibility of sustainable rural tourism development. The purpose, application, and type of research method used in this study are descriptive-analytical. The nature of the data collected is qualitative, and the method of data collection is through field research. The questionnaire tool was implemented in two stages, and data analysis was conducted using future research techniques and the Mick Mac software, along with interaction analysis. In general, the working method has been done in two main stages in this research. Twenty professionals with expertise in the subject were selected for a statistical sample. They were provided with a questionnaire to complete. After careful consideration of the experts' opinions and research, it was determined that there are 36 significant indicators in 5 different components: economic (9 indicators), socio-cultural (8 indicators), managerial (7 indicators), natural (8 indicators), and infrastructure (4 indicators). During this study, it was found that out of the 36 indicators examined, several key factors drive tourism development in the rural regions of Urmia County.
Discussion and Conclusion
In this study, we created scenarios by considering critical uncertainties, predetermined drivers, and the impact of key obstacles. The result of this process was three scenarios. One scenario depicts a promising and favorable situation, another is static and intermediate, and the third portrays a critical and undesirable situation. Out of the three scenarios, scenario number two has the most favorable conditions for tourism in the villages of Urmia County. This scenario is considered the best because all possible situations are desirable. Out of the 36 possible situations, 16.6% are critical, 11.11% are relatively critical or on the brink of a crisis, 13.88% are relatively favorable, and 58.33% are very good. 27.77% faced unfavorable circumstances, while 72.23% had favorable ones. The second scenario is the most optimal, as all the crucial factors are at their best. This scenario comprises seven highly desirable situations, two moderately desirable ones, one on the brink of crisis, and two critical situations. In Scenario No. 1, there are several possible states. Seven of these states are ideal, one is good, one is risky, and two are critical. The factors in this scenario are stable. Five situations are entirely positive, three that are somewhat positive, one that is risky, and three that are critical. In these critical situations, the key factors are likely unfavorable compared to their desired state.
After analyzing the potential outcomes in three categories - favorable, static, and undesirable -, it is clear that the strong research scenarios lead to more favorable conditions than any other category. These scenarios provide a promising future for tourism in the villages of Urmia. By acknowledging the strengths and limitations present, better planning for rural tourism in Urmia can be achieved. Improving this trend will have a direct and indirect positive impact on the future development of tourism in the region
Rural tourism is a sustainable form of rural development that utilizes the resources available in rural areas. However, due to geographical isolation and lack of benefits, these areas often have untapped potential. This lack of development prevents strengthening of social and economic foundations within local communities. Regarding tourism planning in certain areas, previous research has focused on identifying important factors and drivers. However, there is a lack of certainty surrounding regional development in the planning process. To address this, planners and scenario writers can use these factors as a control mechanism to map and manage the desired future.
Methodology
The purpose of this research is to create scenarios that will help determine the factors that impact the growth of rural tourism in Urmia County. The study will use the Wizard scenario to identify key variables that contribute to sustainable tourism in the villages within the county. Ultimately, the goal is to develop scenarios that will enhance the feasibility of sustainable rural tourism development. The purpose, application, and type of research method used in this study are descriptive-analytical. The nature of the data collected is qualitative, and the method of data collection is through field research. The questionnaire tool was implemented in two stages, and data analysis was conducted using future research techniques and the Mick Mac software, along with interaction analysis. In general, the working method has been done in two main stages in this research. Twenty professionals with expertise in the subject were selected for a statistical sample. They were provided with a questionnaire to complete. After careful consideration of the experts' opinions and research, it was determined that there are 36 significant indicators in 5 different components: economic (9 indicators), socio-cultural (8 indicators), managerial (7 indicators), natural (8 indicators), and infrastructure (4 indicators). During this study, it was found that out of the 36 indicators examined, several key factors drive tourism development in the rural regions of Urmia County.
Discussion and Conclusion
In this study, we created scenarios by considering critical uncertainties, predetermined drivers, and the impact of key obstacles. The result of this process was three scenarios. One scenario depicts a promising and favorable situation, another is static and intermediate, and the third portrays a critical and undesirable situation. Out of the three scenarios, scenario number two has the most favorable conditions for tourism in the villages of Urmia County. This scenario is considered the best because all possible situations are desirable. Out of the 36 possible situations, 16.6% are critical, 11.11% are relatively critical or on the brink of a crisis, 13.88% are relatively favorable, and 58.33% are very good. 27.77% faced unfavorable circumstances, while 72.23% had favorable ones. The second scenario is the most optimal, as all the crucial factors are at their best. This scenario comprises seven highly desirable situations, two moderately desirable ones, one on the brink of crisis, and two critical situations. In Scenario No. 1, there are several possible states. Seven of these states are ideal, one is good, one is risky, and two are critical. The factors in this scenario are stable. Five situations are entirely positive, three that are somewhat positive, one that is risky, and three that are critical. In these critical situations, the key factors are likely unfavorable compared to their desired state.
After analyzing the potential outcomes in three categories - favorable, static, and undesirable -, it is clear that the strong research scenarios lead to more favorable conditions than any other category. These scenarios provide a promising future for tourism in the villages of Urmia. By acknowledging the strengths and limitations present, better planning for rural tourism in Urmia can be achieved. Improving this trend will have a direct and indirect positive impact on the future development of tourism in the region
Morteza Khazaipol, Banafshe Farahani, Masoume Izadinia,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
According to the World Tourism Organization, all activities a person does while traveling and in a place outside his product environment, provided that his trip does not last more than one year and its purpose is recreation, business, or other activities, are considered tourism. The third generation of tourism, creative tourism, emerged after the first two stages of coastal and historical-cultural tourism. Creative tourism offers a more sustainable option that allows tourists to discover their potential by taking part in courses and experiences unique to the region they visit.
For a more immersive experience in rural tourism, it is recommended that tourists stay in local rural houses rather than hotels. This allows them to become fully immersed in the area's culture and way of life and to interact with the people who have built it over time. By doing so, they can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the values and traditions that make this place unique. This study investigates how creative tourism can boost tourism and development in an overlooked region. Despite having many attractions, this area has not been thoroughly explored. This research aims to promote this unexplored region as a desirable tourist spot for both domestic and foreign visitors. It emphasizes the need to implement creative tourism initiatives to highlight the potential of this region.
Methodology
In terms of the purpose of this research, it is practical. In terms of data collection, this research is descriptive-survey type. The theoretical basis of the research was collected from books, dissertations, publications, and academic articles in Persian and English. For this study, the target group is people over 20 years old and living in the researched area. The study was conducted during the summer of 2021 and only included those who lived in the village. A questionnaire was completed by individuals over 20 years old and present in the community during the data collection period. The sampling method used was the available method. In this way, in the morning and afternoon of non-holiday days, during three consecutive weeks of July 2021, by visiting homes and explaining the research, questionnaires were presented to people over 20 years old and collected after filling. Two hundred and five questionnaires were distributed and collected. In compiling the questionnaire, we tried to include all the variables needed for the research. The number of inquiries was kept to a minimum, and the responses were uncomplicated to ensure that the villagers could provide prompt answers.
Results and conclusion
In order to conclude from the topics investigated in this research, what can be mentioned in this part is the impact and importance of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists in rural areas. The residents accepted all five components of creative tourism with an impact percentage of over 90%, which indicates the significant influence of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists. All the respondents agreed with the category of creative tourism in the village and considered the historical, cultural, and artistic background as the reasons for this agreement. They are interested in the development of tourism in this sector and stated that the framework of tourism in this sector is fundamental and insignificant. Expanding tourism and attracting more visitors can benefit the locals and help promote their culture. However, to support the growth of tourism, it is important to have the necessary infrastructure, such as communication networks, water, and electricity. Planning for tourism has facilitated the development of rural settlements, providing access to these essential amenities. This has also led to part-time and seasonal employment opportunities for the villagers, which can lead to a boom in production and economic activities in the village and, ultimately, the development of tourism in the village. Essentially, this approach can promote rural communities' financial and population consistency through thoughtful planning that considers local conditions. It is recommended that government officials prioritize this industry by establishing the appropriate infrastructure to encourage investment and appointing skilled and effective leaders who can foster creativity and attract tourism development. In rural areas, people strongly emphasize balancing work and family commitments. We can support both cultural and economic prosperity by promoting family and group businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship among women. This can also attract more tourists to the village. It is also possible to provide a suitable platform to attract tourists by holding cultural and artistic exhibitions in the village, taking care of the appearance and landscape, advertising, and creating local markets to offer products and handicrafts.
According to the World Tourism Organization, all activities a person does while traveling and in a place outside his product environment, provided that his trip does not last more than one year and its purpose is recreation, business, or other activities, are considered tourism. The third generation of tourism, creative tourism, emerged after the first two stages of coastal and historical-cultural tourism. Creative tourism offers a more sustainable option that allows tourists to discover their potential by taking part in courses and experiences unique to the region they visit.
For a more immersive experience in rural tourism, it is recommended that tourists stay in local rural houses rather than hotels. This allows them to become fully immersed in the area's culture and way of life and to interact with the people who have built it over time. By doing so, they can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the values and traditions that make this place unique. This study investigates how creative tourism can boost tourism and development in an overlooked region. Despite having many attractions, this area has not been thoroughly explored. This research aims to promote this unexplored region as a desirable tourist spot for both domestic and foreign visitors. It emphasizes the need to implement creative tourism initiatives to highlight the potential of this region.
Methodology
In terms of the purpose of this research, it is practical. In terms of data collection, this research is descriptive-survey type. The theoretical basis of the research was collected from books, dissertations, publications, and academic articles in Persian and English. For this study, the target group is people over 20 years old and living in the researched area. The study was conducted during the summer of 2021 and only included those who lived in the village. A questionnaire was completed by individuals over 20 years old and present in the community during the data collection period. The sampling method used was the available method. In this way, in the morning and afternoon of non-holiday days, during three consecutive weeks of July 2021, by visiting homes and explaining the research, questionnaires were presented to people over 20 years old and collected after filling. Two hundred and five questionnaires were distributed and collected. In compiling the questionnaire, we tried to include all the variables needed for the research. The number of inquiries was kept to a minimum, and the responses were uncomplicated to ensure that the villagers could provide prompt answers.
Results and conclusion
In order to conclude from the topics investigated in this research, what can be mentioned in this part is the impact and importance of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists in rural areas. The residents accepted all five components of creative tourism with an impact percentage of over 90%, which indicates the significant influence of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists. All the respondents agreed with the category of creative tourism in the village and considered the historical, cultural, and artistic background as the reasons for this agreement. They are interested in the development of tourism in this sector and stated that the framework of tourism in this sector is fundamental and insignificant. Expanding tourism and attracting more visitors can benefit the locals and help promote their culture. However, to support the growth of tourism, it is important to have the necessary infrastructure, such as communication networks, water, and electricity. Planning for tourism has facilitated the development of rural settlements, providing access to these essential amenities. This has also led to part-time and seasonal employment opportunities for the villagers, which can lead to a boom in production and economic activities in the village and, ultimately, the development of tourism in the village. Essentially, this approach can promote rural communities' financial and population consistency through thoughtful planning that considers local conditions. It is recommended that government officials prioritize this industry by establishing the appropriate infrastructure to encourage investment and appointing skilled and effective leaders who can foster creativity and attract tourism development. In rural areas, people strongly emphasize balancing work and family commitments. We can support both cultural and economic prosperity by promoting family and group businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship among women. This can also attract more tourists to the village. It is also possible to provide a suitable platform to attract tourists by holding cultural and artistic exhibitions in the village, taking care of the appearance and landscape, advertising, and creating local markets to offer products and handicrafts.
Zahra Torkashvand, Amir Heidarian, Hasan Ali Faraji Sabokbar,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Migration is a behavior driven by various motives, including education, job search, welfare, and escape from war. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the international migration of Afghan people to neighboring countries, particularly Iran. The impact of migration on a country's development is significant, and skilled and unskilled migration significantly impacts the economy of countries.
Many villages in Iran are currently experiencing slow development and require a strong driving force to bridge the gap. Entrepreneurship is a valuable tool for innovation, changing the primary force behind economic growth and development and a solution for the economic and social advancement of villages in numerous countries. Additionally, Afghan immigrants have been an integral part of the workforce in rural areas for years, whether willingly or unwillingly. They typically reside in regions where labor demand is relatively high and have been able to take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities in villages near the country's capital. This study addresses the factors that Afghan immigrants consider when identifying entrepreneurial opportunities.
Varamin County is located in Tehran Province. In the past two decades, due to the creation of various jobs in the agricultural and service sectors, it has become one of the most suitable places for Afghan immigrants to immigrate. This research examines rural entrepreneurship opportunities from Afghan immigrants' perspective.
Methodology
For this study, we utilized an applied and developmental approach with a descriptive-analytical methodology and conducted a survey. To gather data, we administered a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula, resulting in 374 Afghan immigrants residing in rural areas. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, average, and standard deviation statistics for description and inferential statistics for analysis. In order to check if the data was normal, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was utilized.
Additionally, to examine the correlation between the research variables, the one-sample t-test was implemented. The study focused on identifying opportunities for rural entrepreneurship as perceived by Afghan immigrants. The evaluation was conducted from four dimensions: economic-financial, cultural-social, personality-individual, and political-administrative. Each dimension was assessed based on multiple indicators.
The study is performed in Varamin County with eight sections, four towns, and 216 villages. It is one of Tehran province's industrial and agricultural hubs, with rural and urban populations of 14130 and 34062 people, respectively. In addition, 48192 Afghan immigrants live in this county.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the Afghan women immigrants' viewpoint, the total direct effects amount to 1.931. Regarding indirect communications, the indicators with the highest and lowest levels of influence are personality-individual (1.951) and political-administrative (0.371), respectively. As for the direct relationship intensity, the indicators with the highest and lowest values are personality-individual (0.622) and political-administrative (0.371).
According to Afghan male immigrants, the total direct effect is 1.394. Regarding indirect communication, personality-individual indicators have the highest impact at 1.887, while economic-financial indicators have the lowest impact at 0.424. Based on Figure 4, the highest and lowest impact intensities of direct relationships are caused by personality-individual indicators at 0.682 and economic-financial indicators at 0.424, respectively.
Migration is a behavior driven by various motives, including education, job search, welfare, and escape from war. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the international migration of Afghan people to neighboring countries, particularly Iran. The impact of migration on a country's development is significant, and skilled and unskilled migration significantly impacts the economy of countries.
Many villages in Iran are currently experiencing slow development and require a strong driving force to bridge the gap. Entrepreneurship is a valuable tool for innovation, changing the primary force behind economic growth and development and a solution for the economic and social advancement of villages in numerous countries. Additionally, Afghan immigrants have been an integral part of the workforce in rural areas for years, whether willingly or unwillingly. They typically reside in regions where labor demand is relatively high and have been able to take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities in villages near the country's capital. This study addresses the factors that Afghan immigrants consider when identifying entrepreneurial opportunities.
Varamin County is located in Tehran Province. In the past two decades, due to the creation of various jobs in the agricultural and service sectors, it has become one of the most suitable places for Afghan immigrants to immigrate. This research examines rural entrepreneurship opportunities from Afghan immigrants' perspective.
Methodology
For this study, we utilized an applied and developmental approach with a descriptive-analytical methodology and conducted a survey. To gather data, we administered a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula, resulting in 374 Afghan immigrants residing in rural areas. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, average, and standard deviation statistics for description and inferential statistics for analysis. In order to check if the data was normal, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was utilized.
Additionally, to examine the correlation between the research variables, the one-sample t-test was implemented. The study focused on identifying opportunities for rural entrepreneurship as perceived by Afghan immigrants. The evaluation was conducted from four dimensions: economic-financial, cultural-social, personality-individual, and political-administrative. Each dimension was assessed based on multiple indicators.
The study is performed in Varamin County with eight sections, four towns, and 216 villages. It is one of Tehran province's industrial and agricultural hubs, with rural and urban populations of 14130 and 34062 people, respectively. In addition, 48192 Afghan immigrants live in this county.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the Afghan women immigrants' viewpoint, the total direct effects amount to 1.931. Regarding indirect communications, the indicators with the highest and lowest levels of influence are personality-individual (1.951) and political-administrative (0.371), respectively. As for the direct relationship intensity, the indicators with the highest and lowest values are personality-individual (0.622) and political-administrative (0.371).
According to Afghan male immigrants, the total direct effect is 1.394. Regarding indirect communication, personality-individual indicators have the highest impact at 1.887, while economic-financial indicators have the lowest impact at 0.424. Based on Figure 4, the highest and lowest impact intensities of direct relationships are caused by personality-individual indicators at 0.682 and economic-financial indicators at 0.424, respectively.
Gholamreza Amininejad, Yasser Zendehboudi, Masoumeh Norouzi,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
The beginning of settlements can be traced back to the practice of agriculture. The earliest civilizations in history were established in regions where agriculture was feasible due to favorable geographical and environmental factors. After the service sector, the agricultural sector in Iran is the largest economic sector. Focusing on agriculture can contribute to sustainable rural development, as well as help to mitigate social issues such as unemployment and migration. The agricultural sector is vital for achieving independence and sustainable development in Iran's national economy. Agricultural activities make up approximately 11.2% of the country's size. The majority of our villages are focused on agriculture and nearly half of the workers in rural areas are involved in this industry.The poverty in rural areas is due to the inefficiency of the rural economy, particularly in agriculture. This results in a lack of employment opportunities, income, and poor living standards. Therefore, there is an increasing need to focus on agriculture and rural development simultaneously. Agricultural and rural development are crucial for sustainable industrial growth. Without them, industrial growth will either fail or create serious internal imbalances in the economy, leading to issues such as widespread poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Tangestan County boasts great potential in agriculture, despite a shortage of potable and agricultural water. The fertile soil creates a conducive environment for agricultural activities, leading many locals to engage in farming. As a result, the county is regarded as a significant hub for agriculture. Regrettably, the agricultural sector in this city has received minimal attention in the development plans and economic policies. Consequently, farmers, particularly those in rural areas, are encountering significant challenges. This research aims to examine the role of the agricultural sector in the sustainable development of the villages of Mahmoud Ahmadi region and provide solutions to improve the agricultural situation by emphasizing tobacco production and increasing the amount of production per unit area, increasing their income and improving their standard of living.
Methodology
This study is descriptive and analytical, with a survey as its primary purpose. The library research method established the theoretical basis and identified existing components. The research approach used is a cross-sectional survey. For this research, the study area was the Ahram Rural District of Tangestan County, with a statistical population of 8,612 rural residents. Using Cochran's formula, a sample size of 330 people was determined and selected randomly. Because the questionnaires were research-made, the questions were matched with the research hypotheses and presented to professors and experts. After checking and confirming, 35 questions were selected for the implementation of the research and its validity. The reliability of the questionnaire was controlled and evaluated using Cronbach's alpha method (0.79). SPSS software was used to analyze data and information. According to the measurement level of variables, appropriate tests such as Pearson's correlation coefficient test have been used to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
Discussion and conclusion
Based on the Pearson correlation coefficient test conducted in rural areas, it was found that there is a significant relationship (at p<0.05 level) between several factors: 1) agricultural development and sustainable rural development (coefficient of 0.451); 2) increased agricultural production and longer life expectancy (coefficient of 0.369); 3) the contribution of women to sustainable rural development (coefficient of 0.394); and 4) agricultural prosperity and social development (coefficient of 0.298). These findings were significant at a p-value of less than 0.05. In this study, it was determined that agriculture played an influential role in the development of the villages of the Mahmoud Ahmadi region, and the cultivation of tobacco as a strategic product was influential in creating employment for families and eliminating unemployment in the region. Additionally, it facilitated opportunities for women to enter the workforce. On the other hand, the results showed that with the prosperity of agriculture in the Mahmoud Ahmadi region, social problems and harms are reduced, and social development takes place, which seems that the results of this study can be used in other regions of the country. Tobacco is a popular product among Iranians, and it has been cultivated in Bushehr province, particularly in this region, for a considerable period. This could be a factor in persuading villagers to stay put and avoid migration to urban areas. If there is more planting and harvesting, employment will increase, and young people will have a greater desire to persevere. In general, agriculture in the Mahmoud Ahmadi region can be effective in the development and prosperity of villages in the region due to its favorable characteristics. These findings confirm that the planning and managing of rural development components is a trans-sectoral activity that requires a comprehensive approach and the coordination of different related sectors. Agriculture improves livelihoods, reduces unemployment, and promotes social development. Based on the results obtained, it is suggested to implement the following measures: 1) Offer incentive packages like guaranteed product purchase and identification of tobacco export markets, 2) Allocate funds and provide necessary facilities to launch irrigation methods and new agricultural techniques for enhancing production, 3) Encourage women's influential involvement in the economy through media and virtual space, 4) Identify economic activities carried out by rural women and organize them, 5) Establish a training and empowerment center in Ahram village to utilize their potential for rural development, and 6) Create processing and transformation industries for packaging of manufactured goods.
The beginning of settlements can be traced back to the practice of agriculture. The earliest civilizations in history were established in regions where agriculture was feasible due to favorable geographical and environmental factors. After the service sector, the agricultural sector in Iran is the largest economic sector. Focusing on agriculture can contribute to sustainable rural development, as well as help to mitigate social issues such as unemployment and migration. The agricultural sector is vital for achieving independence and sustainable development in Iran's national economy. Agricultural activities make up approximately 11.2% of the country's size. The majority of our villages are focused on agriculture and nearly half of the workers in rural areas are involved in this industry.The poverty in rural areas is due to the inefficiency of the rural economy, particularly in agriculture. This results in a lack of employment opportunities, income, and poor living standards. Therefore, there is an increasing need to focus on agriculture and rural development simultaneously. Agricultural and rural development are crucial for sustainable industrial growth. Without them, industrial growth will either fail or create serious internal imbalances in the economy, leading to issues such as widespread poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Tangestan County boasts great potential in agriculture, despite a shortage of potable and agricultural water. The fertile soil creates a conducive environment for agricultural activities, leading many locals to engage in farming. As a result, the county is regarded as a significant hub for agriculture. Regrettably, the agricultural sector in this city has received minimal attention in the development plans and economic policies. Consequently, farmers, particularly those in rural areas, are encountering significant challenges. This research aims to examine the role of the agricultural sector in the sustainable development of the villages of Mahmoud Ahmadi region and provide solutions to improve the agricultural situation by emphasizing tobacco production and increasing the amount of production per unit area, increasing their income and improving their standard of living.
Methodology
This study is descriptive and analytical, with a survey as its primary purpose. The library research method established the theoretical basis and identified existing components. The research approach used is a cross-sectional survey. For this research, the study area was the Ahram Rural District of Tangestan County, with a statistical population of 8,612 rural residents. Using Cochran's formula, a sample size of 330 people was determined and selected randomly. Because the questionnaires were research-made, the questions were matched with the research hypotheses and presented to professors and experts. After checking and confirming, 35 questions were selected for the implementation of the research and its validity. The reliability of the questionnaire was controlled and evaluated using Cronbach's alpha method (0.79). SPSS software was used to analyze data and information. According to the measurement level of variables, appropriate tests such as Pearson's correlation coefficient test have been used to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
Discussion and conclusion
Based on the Pearson correlation coefficient test conducted in rural areas, it was found that there is a significant relationship (at p<0.05 level) between several factors: 1) agricultural development and sustainable rural development (coefficient of 0.451); 2) increased agricultural production and longer life expectancy (coefficient of 0.369); 3) the contribution of women to sustainable rural development (coefficient of 0.394); and 4) agricultural prosperity and social development (coefficient of 0.298). These findings were significant at a p-value of less than 0.05. In this study, it was determined that agriculture played an influential role in the development of the villages of the Mahmoud Ahmadi region, and the cultivation of tobacco as a strategic product was influential in creating employment for families and eliminating unemployment in the region. Additionally, it facilitated opportunities for women to enter the workforce. On the other hand, the results showed that with the prosperity of agriculture in the Mahmoud Ahmadi region, social problems and harms are reduced, and social development takes place, which seems that the results of this study can be used in other regions of the country. Tobacco is a popular product among Iranians, and it has been cultivated in Bushehr province, particularly in this region, for a considerable period. This could be a factor in persuading villagers to stay put and avoid migration to urban areas. If there is more planting and harvesting, employment will increase, and young people will have a greater desire to persevere. In general, agriculture in the Mahmoud Ahmadi region can be effective in the development and prosperity of villages in the region due to its favorable characteristics. These findings confirm that the planning and managing of rural development components is a trans-sectoral activity that requires a comprehensive approach and the coordination of different related sectors. Agriculture improves livelihoods, reduces unemployment, and promotes social development. Based on the results obtained, it is suggested to implement the following measures: 1) Offer incentive packages like guaranteed product purchase and identification of tobacco export markets, 2) Allocate funds and provide necessary facilities to launch irrigation methods and new agricultural techniques for enhancing production, 3) Encourage women's influential involvement in the economy through media and virtual space, 4) Identify economic activities carried out by rural women and organize them, 5) Establish a training and empowerment center in Ahram village to utilize their potential for rural development, and 6) Create processing and transformation industries for packaging of manufactured goods.
Nahid Isa Nejad, Ali Akbar Najafi Kani , Alireza Khajeh Shakooei,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Today, one of the country's tourism patterns is second homes tourism, often common in mountainous regions with mild regions. The second homes are primarily located in spectacular areas, recreational places, and on the outskirts of large and medium-sized cities. Rural tourism is a reliable source of income in many countries and has an increasing impact on improving rural households' economic and physical situation. The current study investigates the consequences of second homes tourism in mountainous villages near the metropolis of Tehran.
Researchers believe that households living elsewhere buy or rent second homes. Such homes are usually located in rural areas and are used for recreational purposes and are also called weekend homes and holiday homes.
Second homes usually have four characteristics:
- A private home that family and guests often use on weekends and holidays.
-A private home that is alternately used as a holiday home.
- It is often purchased for retirement periods but is also used as a commercial property.
- Used as holiday homes, commercially as an investment, and usually by an agency.
Methodology
This study is applied with a descriptive and field descriptive method. According to the 1395 census, the statistical population of the current study is rural households living in 9 villages, totaling 5554 persons. 310 villages were chosen as the sample community using the Cochran algorithm, and data were analyzed using correlation analysis, Friedman, Kruskalvalis, and Linear regression in SPSS software.
Shemiranat is one of the counties of Tehran Province, considered an excellent tourism region of Iran, and consists of two districts: Lavasanat and Rudbar-e Qasran. According to the census of 2016, Rudbar-e Qasran District has a population of 17419. The Qasran Bastani region includes Oushan, Fasham, Darbandsar, Gajereh, and the villages at the foothill of Tochal to the western areas of the Jajrud River. Contrary to many peoples’ beliefs, the language of the people of Rudbar-e Qasran District in most neighborhoods, especially Meygun, Shahrestanak, Lalan, Zayegan, Ruteh, Garmabdar, Shemshak, and Darbandsar, is Mazandarani.
Discussion and conclusion
The results of Chi-square, Spearman, and Kendall correlation analysis demonstrate that the construction of second homes has a substantial association with a 99 percent confidence level with physical changes in villages and improved economic indicators. Friedman's findings also rank the most effective elements in recruiting tourists and increasing second houses. Kruskal-Wallis's findings reveal that second-home tourism affects all communities analyzed in terms of physical and economic characteristics and that they are all similar. The results of the linear regression test reveal that, depending on the variables evaluated, the investigated components are acceptable and significant. The coefficient of determination indicates that around 95% of the development is determined by the variables analyzed, with only about 5% depending on variables not discovered in this study.
The second homes are part of the tourism industry, which aims to use and introduce natural, cultural, historical, and other resources in the region to tourists to create opportunities for tourism development, which creates business in rural areas. Second homes can also be considered a potential product that elevates the level of society and puts the country in the tourism industry.
In this regard, sustainable tourism emerged as the only solution to save nature and human beings. From this perspective, the paradigm of sustainable tourism examines tourism across borders. The tourism industry creates a triangular relationship between the host community, their territory, and the guest community (tourists). The goal is to alleviate any pressure or crises that may arise and achieve a long-term balance between all three parties.
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