Showing 546 results for Type of Study: Research
Dr Arastoo Yari Hesar, Dr Arghami Yari Hesar, Mrs Khadijeh Ebrahimi,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objective: This research tries to evaluate the tourism destinations of Ardabil and East Azarbaijan provinces from the perspective of the quality of ecosystem welfare and human welfare as two basic pillars of sustainable tourism.
Methods: This review is of the type of applied studies and the analysis of information has been done in a descriptive-analytical way, and Alen Butller's tourism life cycle (TLC) model has been used for their analysisThe statistical population of this research consists of the villages of Zenuzagh, Kandavan and Ashtabin in East Azarbaijan province and the villages of Gazaj, Alvars and Onar in Ardabil province, with a total of 465 households and a population of 1876 people. The size of the sample population in this research is 176 households, which was estimated by Cochran's method. The required information has been collected by the field method and using the questionnaire tool. The selection of the host community for questioning is by systematic random method and the selection of the tourist and visitor community is simple by random method.
Results: The results of this study show that ecosystem and human well-being in tourism destinations are often at a medium level of sustainability and still have a significant distance from the characteristics of stable and completely sustainable destinations, and the emphasis on economic results and incomes causes neglect of natural and Human tourism activities in the studied destinations.
Conclusions: The results of the surveys show that the index of visiting tourist destinations over time can improve the state of ecosystem well-being and human well-being in the destinations, if the village of Kandavan is in a better state of well-being in both the human and natural ecosystem due to the high number of visitors. . Naturally, secondary factors such as improving the level of social awareness and cultural exchange between the host community and the tourist community and social education can be effective in this situation, as in destinations with fewer visits and a lower position of these indicators, it shows another different situation.
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Naser Shafii Sabet, Siavash Moradimokaram,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Rural transportation accessibility is an indispensable component of the economy and a crucial factor influencing rural economic development.
Methods: To thoroughly examine this relationship, a quantitative study was conducted using a questionnaire tool to gather data. The study assessed the connection between transportation accessibility and rural economic development in Asadabad County, encompassing eight indicators across 30 villages and 368 sample households.
Results: The findings revealed that all indicators of access to the rural transportation system had a positive impact on the rural economic development indicators in Asadabad County. Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between the accessibility of villages to the transportation system and the improvement of their economic development according to their settlement patterns in plain, foothills, and mountainous locations. This suggests that beyond accessibility to the transportation system and the distance of villages to urban and rural market centers, the location of villages also plays a significant role in their economic development. Based on the standardized beta coefficients representing the impact of independent variables on the dependent variable, the results demonstrate that the effect coefficients for each of the rural transportation system indicators are positive and have a significance level of less than 0.05. This confirms the direct and significant influence of each rural transportation system indicator on rural economic development. Further analysis indicates that improving transportation services had the most significant effect (0.341), while expanding transportation infrastructure had the least significant impact (0.270) on rural economic development, according to the Beta values.
Conclusions: The study unequivocally establishes that access to the rural transportation system plays a direct role in fostering rural economic development. The location of villages, in conjunction with their accessibility to the transportation system, further contributes to their economic growth. Therefore, prioritizing the improvement of transportation services and expanding rural transportation infrastructure are key strategies for promoting economic development in these areas.
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Farzaneh Ghasemi, Alireza Darban Astane, Mohammad Reza Rezvani, Hasanali Faraji Sabokbar,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Network is a concept used to understand organizational relationships between economic actors. Networks are a form of business and innovation system and are powerful mechanisms for communication. The main objective of this research is to analyze the spatial network of poultry farmers in Shazand County in terms of cohesion and intra- and inter-group links through the E-I grouping index, separated by geographical levels of village, district, and section. The higher the inter-group relationships, the higher the social capital will be along with higher social cohesion.
Methods: The statistical population of this study consisted of all poultry farmers in the villages of Shazand County in 2023 (68 farms). The required data were collected through interviews and determined using UCINET software.
Results: The results of network analysis showed that the E-I grouping index in social relationships among poultry farmers was 4.97% at the village level, 4.75% at the district level, and 7.41% at the section level, indicating a very high tendency for intra-group communication among poultry farmers at the village level. According to research findings, the power of intra-group communication among poultry farmers at the village level is significantly higher than that at the district and section levels. The spatial analysis of E-I index findings in relationships between poultry farmers based on village, district, and section indicates a greater tendency for intra-group communication.
Conclusions: Considering the importance of geographical distance, wind direction, traffic flow, direct communication in pollution and disease transmission between farms, as well as maintaining stability and health of farms and avoiding various types of pollution and diseases and specific environmental conditions... Intra-group communication among farms at the village, district, and section levels has increased while there is a decrease in inter-group communication.
Dr. Mohsen Aghayari Hir, Dr. Hossein Asgharpur, Dr. Soheyla Bakhtar,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The present research was conducted with the aim of identifying and analyzing economic factors affecting the acceptance of organic agriculture in Tabriz County.
Methods: The population of this study consists of producers and consumers of Tabriz County. The community of producers in the County is composed of 28 person. Due to their limited number, they were studied in full. In the consumer community, the sample size was estimated to be 384 person, but to achieve better results, 391 questionnaires were completed. In order to analyze the data, structural equation modeling was used in Smart PLS software and one-sample t-tests and Friedman in SPSS software.
Results: The results of the measurement model indicate that the loads of the observed agents with their hidden variables have significant values, and the observed agents have measured their hidden variables well. Also, there is a significant structural relationship between price perception, providing support facilities, product distribution, product preparation method, product price, product features, product quality, and willingness to pay. The obtained values of T, the average and the upper and lower limits of the factors affecting the acceptance of organic agriculture from the producers' point of view, had higher values than the standard set. The results of Friedman's test showed that the price of the product has the highest importance and the provision of support facilities has the lowest importance.
Conclusions: Comparing and examining the views of two producer and consumer groups shows that the economic dimension has had a major effect on the adoption of organic agriculture. Also, factors such as having high prices for products, costs and prices offered for a specific brand, an appropriate marketing system, etc. are among the factors that have affected the economic aspect of adopting organic agriculture.
Mr 1. mohammad Hasan Ekhtyarzadeh, Dr Mehdi Rahimian, Dr Saeed Gholamrezai, Dr Mohsen Aref Nejad,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Considering the country's need for livestock products, it is very necessary to establish and develop dairy cattle breeding units in the country. On the other hand, there are many challenges in the value production chain of this sector. The aim of the current research is to identify the challenges of the dairy cow value production chain.
Methods: This research is descriptive in terms of practical purpose, in terms of control of field variables and in terms of data collection method. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population was specialists, activists and experts in the dairy cattle production sector in Iran. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and content validity method, respectively. Data analysis was done using SPSS software at two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: According to the results, the most important challenges are, in order of providing financial resources, challenges related to eugenics centers, and administrative and organizational challenges (first to third ranks). Environmental challenges, challenges of cattle products supply and sales centers, and challenges of livestock products transformation and processing industries are in the last ranks (twelfth to fourteenth) of this category.
Conclusions: in all challenges, the rank average of each challenge category is higher than its median value, and the average difference in all challenges with the median value is statistically significant.
Mohammad Sadeq Zare, Nasrullah Moulaiheshjin, Mohammad Basit Qureshi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Rural entrepreneurship is a concept that has been examined from different perspectives and it is believed that it is necessary as an efficient strategy for the social development of the village. Women's entrepreneurship in the village is a multi-dimensional phenomenon and is influenced by various factors. In today's Iranian society, women have played a significant and expanding role in the field of business. The present study was conducted to explain the role of women entrepreneurs in the social development of the villages of Soumesara.
Methods: The research method is applied and based on library, documentary, and field studies. To analyze the data, SPSS software and integrated models (FARAS+FCOPRAS) and WASTPAS fuzzy model were used. The results of the research showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the social development of Soumesara villages and women entrepreneurs.
Results: Also, the findings of the research showed that the social participation index with a score of 71.44, improving the quality of life a score of 71.31, demographic transformation of the village with a score of 71.20, and education and awareness with a score of 15.1 71, strengthening communication and social trust with a score of 71.11, they have assigned the highest and lowest effectiveness of the role of women entrepreneurs in the villages of Soumesara. Also, the results of the research findings showed the central districts with a weight value of 3.891, Tolem district with a weight value of 3.775, and Mirza Kochuk district with a weight value of 3.678, respectively, have the highest and lowest amount of social development with an emphasis on the role of women. The entrepreneur is dedicated to himself.
Conclusions: Based on this, according to the results of the research, rural women entrepreneurs, as creative, innovative, and thoughtful forces in their field of activity, have been able to create a transformation in the social development of the rural areas of Soumesara and contribute to the dynamism of the villages of this county.
Zahra Soltani, Majid Goodarzi, Mohammad Rauf Fayazi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The Development of Creative Tourism in Rural Areas as one of the fundamental factors in sustainable development and economic growth of rural regions has gained considerable attention. This research investigates and analyzes the influential factors on the development of creative tourism in the rural district of Meyan Ab in the southern part of Shushtar County.
Methods: The research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive and analytical in terms of nature and method.To this end, a questionnaire with various dimensions (infrastructure, education, local participation, innovation and initiative, information and communication technology, and culture and indigenous identity) was designed based on theoretical foundations. Subsequently, it was distributed among the residents of the rural district using stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistical methods in SPSS and EXCEL software were then employed to analyze the data. Furthermore, through one-sample t-test in SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis in LISREL software, the status of creative tourism development indicators in Meyan Ab was evaluated.
Results: According to the results obtained, the rural district of Meyan Ab, in terms of creative rural tourism development indicators, has an average score of 2.88, indicating a low level of development. Confirmatory factor analysis results demonstrated that in the infrastructure section, the presence of recreational facilities and hospitality facilities with a factor loading of 0.88 had the highest correlation and influence, indicating an 88% correlation. In the next level, in the local participation section, the level of cooperation and participation of rural people in environmental issues, with a factor loading of 0.87, was found. Finally, the existence of opportunities and continuous educational programs for the local community, with a factor loading of 0.86, ranked third in terms of impact.
Conclusions: Therefore, it can be concluded that focusing on and developing these three aspects are the top priorities for improving and developing creative rural tourism in the rural district of Meyan Ab in the southern part of Shushtar County. This can assist managers and planners in making decisions regarding the development of creative rural tourism in Meyan Ab.
Horieh Moradi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: With the formation of the deep concept of the entrepreneurial process in the passage of time and the evolution in the understanding of how to transition from economic crises in developing countries, attention to the development of SMEs became the attention of development thinkers. Economic crisis brings different actions and reactions in geographical areas. If the economy in different areas is supposed to evoke an image of success, paying attention to the social economy and creating competitive environments through the development of local small businesses in local communities is of particular importance. Therefore, the present research in a quantitative manner and with the aim of "analyzing the development of SMEs in Iran in the transformation process of rural innovation" seeks an approach to the transition from the economic crisis and a meaningful understanding of the existing realities of business in local communities that It can be a foundation for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Methods: The research method is descriptive-survey and applied. The statistical population of the research consists of 52 owners of SMEs located in the villages of Mian Darband, Pash Darband and Bala Darband of Kermanshah city, who have experienced the highest rate of destruction of new companies in the last 15 years. SPSS20 software was used for data analysis and ArcGIS was used for drawing maps.
Results: The findings showed that the effects of SMEs development variables in the transformation process of rural innovation on the acceptance or rejection of entrepreneurship in the dynamic rural network was 371.72 percent, and the factors of political tendencies of space (19.321 percent), knowledge-based forces The head of technology (15.32 percent), the factor of competitiveness and economic improvement (11.12 percent), the force of social demands and interactions of space (10.48 percent), the demographic and production changes of space (10.08 percent) and institutional and environmental support of space (6.05 percent)) has appeared.
Conclusions: The development of micro, small and medium businesses has led to the two villages of Baladarband and Mian-Darband becoming central places so that the spatial consequences of entrepreneurship can be seen in most of its parts. These two villages can have the ability to spread innovation and knowledge to other surrounding villages far from the city center.
Hassan Afrakhteh,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Objective: The purpose of this study is to answer the question of how people can change an institution whose rationality and actions are bound to the same institution.
Methods: In this review article, using the keywords, institutional system, human action, institutional changes, innovation, knowledge creation, institutional environment, institutional changes, institutional hysteresis and searching in domestic and foreign academic sources, articles and books related to the subject were collected and studied. Then, the collected data has been analyzed and concluded in the "narrative review" method, in line with the purpose of the research.
Results: Economic action is not atomistic but relational. Individual preferences, norms, values, ethics, tastes, styles, needs, and objectives emerge from and are co-constituted through the social embedding of economic interaction. Economic actors are not isolated beings who carry out atomistic behavioral scripts; rather, they are embedded in a social environment that constitutes meaning through repeated interaction. Such a concept of relational action has three implications:
(a) Conceptuality, related to situated practice and reflexive, transformative action,
(b) Path dependence, which is a matter of institutionalization and imprinting, and
(c) Contingency, associated with serendipity, historical points of inflection, and purposive action toward institutional change.
Conclusions: The conflict between the formation clause and the rationality of the actions of actors from institutions, and institutional changes by actors, can be through Social action, which is fundamentally reactive and contextual in nature, should be resolved. Social action cannot be understood as the implementation of institutional prescriptions
, but is revealed as reflective interaction in specific spatial-temporal contexts. When actors see specific interests and individual benefits associated with potential new institutions, they act to support their development and adoption.
Asadullah Heidari, Samad Khabbaz Bavil,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: This research is based on the identification, investigation and stratification of the effective components in rural self-employment in East Azarbaijan province and seeks to answer the following questions and objectives: What are the important components of self-employment in the villages of East Azarbaijan province? Each of the identified rural self-employment components, At what level are they located? What is the pattern or model of the relationships of the self-employed components of the villagers? And finally, what are the effective policies and decisions for the development and increase of rural self-employment.
Methods: The methodology of this research is descriptive-analytical, which qualitatively used structural-interpretive modeling (ISM) technique to stratify and determine the relationships of influential self-employment components in villages. The statistical population of this research includes 34 qualified people from university professors and senior managers at the level of East Azarbaijan province, who are experts in rural self-employment. Based on Warfield's theory in structural-interpretive modeling and expertise criterion based on two indicators of experience and education level too, 13 members of the research sample were considered as experts.
Results: The findings of this model showed that four components: suitable infrastructure, facilitation of regulations and administrative processes, culture and social relations, individual and educational spirit, are the basic factors in the eleven components of
.the self-employment development of the villagers of East Azarbaijan province
Conclusions: Creating infrastructures and providing suitable facilities in villages, delegating authority to provinces and decentralization in village planning, revising and revising restrictive laws and regulations related to rural employment, activating specialized. desks for rural economy and employment, providing skill training to self-employed volunteers in villages from Among them are the results and practical suggestions of the research.
Soroush Sanaei Moghadam, Ali Akbar Anabestanei, Bijan Rahmanei, Farhad Azizpour,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of the present study is to survey the livelihood diversity status and its effects on increasing the resilience of the studied villages.
Methods: The present theoretical study is conducted with applied purposes using the descriptive-analytical method. The required data were collected through library and field (questionnaire and observation) methods and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient, single sample t test and path analysis). The research statistical population is the resident households of 21 suburban villages of Dehdasht with 3538 households and using Cochran's formula 358 samples were randomly selected.
Results: The results indicate that, there is a direct and significant relationship between livelihood diversity and rural households' resilience. According to the obtained correlation coefficient (0.934) and the significance level of the test (0.000) it can be stated that the resilience of rural households to droughts is increased with promoting diversified livelihood. The results of path analysis also show that, coordination of institutions with direct impact of 0.108 has the least impact and saving with direct impact of 0.479 has the highest impact on the rural households' resilience in the studied area
Conclusions: Increasing livelihood diversity leads to an increase in the ability of households to deal with changes caused by climate change. Therefore, measures that lead to strengthening livelihood diversity and as a result the resilience of rural households should be among the priorities of rural development programs. Activities such as promoting diverse agricultural techniques, increasing access to insurance facilities, strengthening social capital, upgrading agricultural technologies and promoting optimal use of natural resources can be effective measures to increase livelihood diversity and improve the resilience of rural households.
Mr Arash Derakhshan Darabi, Dr. Yaser Mohammadi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The current Research was conducted with the aim of Strategic Analysis of Rural Development Programs held by Basij Sazandegi Organization to formulate a superior strategic matrix.
Methods: The research followed the paradigm of mixed method (qualitative-quantitative) so that collecting data was done by interview and questionnaire tools in the qualitative and quantitative phases respectively. According to the purpose, the research statistical population consisted of two expert’s groups. In order to evaluate the environment of rural development programs, three groups of rural development organizations’ experts, experts from Basij Sazandegi Organization and rural informants (councils and local leaders), were surveyed. Each group consisted of 30 experts. Also, for developing the superior strategic matrix, 8 rural development experts were asked to rate importance of strategies. SWOT technique was used for environmental assessment and the superior strategic matrix was developed through hybrid TOPSIS-ANP method in Super Decisions software environment.
Results: The results of this study revealed that rural development programs exhibited strengths that surpassed their weaknesses, yet they were also confronted with threats. The superior strategic matrix further indicated that among the 10 strategies derived from environmental analysis, the strategy of "coordinating the Basij Sazandegi organization with other stakeholders of rural development in program formulation and reduction of redundancies" emerged as the foremost strategy. Subsequently, the strategies of "collaboration and regular meetings with local leaders for program implementation and evaluation of rural development initiatives" and "partnerships with associations and religious institutions to mobilize manpower and financial resources towards job creation projects" were ranked as the subsequent most important strategies.
Conclusions: In light of the research outcomes, it is recommended to expand the network of collaboration and cooperation with other rural development stakeholders and adhere to a comprehensive and targeted rural development model to enhance the effectiveness of constructive mobilization in RDPs of Basi.
Mitra Mohamadi, Fateh Habibi, Saman Ghaderi,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The experience of many developed countries highlights that tourism development is a fundamental driver of national growth and should be prioritized accordingly. This research aims to investigate the impact of tourism on sustainable rural livelihoods in Kurdistan Province by comparing two groups: tourism-oriented villages and non-tourism villages.
Method: This study adopts a quasi-experimental design, comparing data from tourism and non-tourism villages. A questionnaire was employed to gather the necessary information. Using Cochran's formula, the sample size was determined to be 350 households, consisting of 203 heads of households from tourism villages and 147 heads of households from non-tourism villages. Participants were selected randomly. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel software, with the reliability of the questionnaire confirmed by a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82.
Results:
1. Livelihood Conditions: The one-sample t-test revealed that the five livelihood capitals (human, social, physical, natural, and financial) in both groups of villages were below average and in poor condition.
2. Comparison of Capitals: An independent t-test showed that the average human and social capital and total investment were significantly higher in tourism villages compared to non-tourism villages.
3. Livelihood Strategies: A Friedman test identified the key livelihood activities in each group:
- Tourism Villages: Gardening. Agriculture, Local food sales, Handicraft sales, Home rentals, Sales of local dairy products, and Sales of local clothing.
- Non-Tourism Villages: Gardening, Agriculture, Local dairy product sales, Animal husbandry, and Labor.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a significant difference between tourism and non-tourism villages in terms of livelihood capitals: human, social, physical, natural, financial, and total. The average levels of human capital, social capital, and overall livelihood assets were higher in tourism villages. These results underscore the positive role of tourism in enhancing sustainable rural livelihoods, particularly by diversifying income sources and strengthening human and social capital. Prioritizing tourism development in rural areas can thus contribute to broader economic and social improvements.
Mojtaba Hakimi, Jamsid Einali, Hosein Farahani,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Mining is a critical environmental resource, with its primary and most significant impacts being economic. Subsequent effects arise later and are dependent on proper consideration and evaluation. When managed effectively, mining can contribute to the formation of value-added chains in other economic sectors and lay the foundation for achieving sustainable development goals. This research aims to examine the effects of mining exploitation on the economic indicators and population stability of rural areas in Boghdakandi district.
Methods: The research is applied in nature, employing a descriptive-analytical methodology. Data collection utilized library and field methods, including: Observation (general and individual), Interviews (structured) and Questionnaires (closed and Likert scale). The questionnaire's face validity was assessed by experts, and its reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.802. The study’s statistical population comprised the households of Boghdakandi district, which, according to the 2015 census, included 2,227 households. Using Cochran's formula, the required sample size was calculated as 314 households. Data analysis involved both descriptive statistics (mean, frequency distribution, and standard deviation) and inferential statistical tests (One-sample T-test, Pearson Correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis test).
Results: The research findings reveal a significant relationship between mining exploitation and the economic indicators of the studied villages. Key results include:
- Economic Indicators: Employment Index: Mean = 3.229; Income Index: Mean = 3.132; Natural Resources: Mean = 3.393; and Welfare: Mean = 3.431.
These values indicate a moderate impact of mining on economic indicators.
- Population Stability: Population Stability Index: Mean = -2.763 and Capital Index: Mean = -2.742.
These indices are below average, suggesting that mining has had adverse effects on population stability.
Statistical yearbooks (2006–2016) highlight a declining population trend in all studied villages, except Saeed Kandi, which experienced a growth rate of 0.9%.
Conclusion: The study concludes that while mining exploitation in Boghdakandi district has moderately improved certain economic indicators (employment, income, natural resources, and welfare), it has had negative impacts on population stability and capital levels. The population decline observed across most villages underscores the inability of mining activities to positively influence long-term population stability. This suggests that while mining can contribute to economic growth in the short term, its sustainability requires more strategic management to balance economic benefits with social and demographic stability.
Zeynab Aeeni, Khabat Nesaei, , Atefeh Ahmadi Dehrashid,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: In recent years, rural digital hubs have emerged as platforms capable of fostering the long-term sustainable development of villages by leveraging digital capabilities. However, in Iran, the lack of awareness about these centers has hindered their full potential from being realized.
Methods: This study aims to identify the factors and conditions influencing the adoption of digital innovation hubs in rural areas. To achieve this, a qualitative approach was employed, specifically using the grounded theory research strategy, to develop a framework for understanding the factors affecting the adoption of rural digital hubs. The study focuses on villages in Kurdistan Province. Data were collected through interviews with academic experts, government officials, and activists from non-governmental organizations, and analyzed using MAXQDA software.
Results: The findings are presented across the five dimensions of grounded theory. The study identifies:
- Causal conditions: "Economic and socio-cultural shortcomings."
- Contextual conditions: "Infrastructure, village structural characteristics, and demographic composition."
- Intervening conditions: "Lack of policy integration, inefficient rural management, and speculative economic practices."
- Strategies: "Identification of capacities, functions of digital hub centers, and pre-training initiatives."
- Outcomes: "Cultural-social development, economic development, and enhanced political acumen."
Conclusion: By identifying the conditions influencing the adoption of these digital platforms, this study provides a foundation for designing and implementing effective policies to unlock the potential of rural digital hubs.
Arezoo Savari, Maryam Sharifzadeh, Ayatollah Karami,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the sustainability of fish propagation and breeding cooperatives, identifying the key factors influencing their sustainability. The goal was to provide solutions to enhance the effectiveness and longevity of these cooperatives.
Methods: This research was applied in nature and used a survey-based approach. A structured, researcher-made questionnaire was employed for data collection. The questionnaire’s validity was confirmed through content analysis by a panel of experts, while its reliability was assessed via a pilot study, yielding a Cronbach's alpha coefficient between 0.59 and 0.94. The study’s statistical population consisted of 454 members from 61 active fish propagation and breeding cooperatives in the central district of Ahvaz County. Using Morgan's table, a sample of 150 cooperative members was selected via simple random sampling. To explore the challenges faced by cooperatives, content analysis was conducted, focusing on 20 members from successful cooperatives, continuing until theoretical saturation was reached.
Results: The study found that the sustainability of fish propagation and breeding cooperatives was influenced by three main stages:
- Feasibility and Design
- Establishment and Exploitation
- Cooperative Development
Key factors affecting sustainability in these stages included organizational identity, identical commitment, and the legal framework. The cooperatives were found to be vulnerable in several dimensions, particularly in terms of education, infrastructure, social dynamics, and economic conditions.
Conclusion: This study used a concurrent parallel design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive view of sustainability in fish breeding cooperatives. The quantitative analysis identified the primary predictors of sustainability, while the qualitative insights offered a deeper understanding of the contextual factors, such as the role of organizational identity and the emotional connections among members.
The findings highlighted the importance of education and social dynamics, revealing that sustainability extends beyond quantitative measures. This mixed-methods approach enriched the understanding of cooperative sustainability and emphasized the need for a holistic view of the factors that influence their long-term success.
Parisa Noori Darzikolaie, Fatemeh Razzaghi Borkhani, Taher Azizi Khalkheili, Ali Akbar Barati,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to develop a model to improve the efficiency of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus in rice farming in Sari County.
Method: The research was conducted using a quantitative, survey-based approach and falls under the category of applied studies. The statistical population consisted of 25,590 rice farmers in Sari County, with a sample size of 170 farmers, determined using G-Power software. A multi-stage stratified sampling method with proportional allocation was employed. Data collection was conducted through a researcher-made questionnaire, whose face and content validity were confirmed by experts. The reliability of the research tool was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data analysis was performed using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the efficiency of the WEF nexus.
Results: The findings indicate that the efficiency index of the WEF nexus among the studied rice farms was 0.198, reflecting very poor efficiency in rice production. Specific observations include: 70% of the studied units exhibited unsatisfactory nexus efficiency; A negative correlation was found between the amount of water and energy consumed and the nexus efficiency index; Larger-scale farms demonstrated higher nexus efficiency, while smaller farms exhibited lower efficiency levels; There was a positive correlation between the nexus efficiency index and farm size, suggesting that economies of scale positively influence efficiency.
Conclusion: The study highlights significant inefficiencies in the WEF nexus within rice farming in Mazandaran Province, specifically regarding water and energy consumption. Key conclusions include: The amount of rice produced relative to water and energy consumption is low, indicating substantial resource wastage; Optimization of water and energy use is critical to enhancing nexus efficiency without compromising crop production or food security; Tailored strategies are required to address regional differences and align cropping patterns with local climatic and weather conditions.
To improve WEF nexus efficiency, the following recommendations are proposed:
- Agricultural Zoning: Implement zoning strategies based on regional climate and conditions to optimize cropping patterns.
- Extension-Education Programs: Develop training initiatives for farmers, focusing on efficient farm management practices.
- Demonstration Farms: Promote exemplary farms as models for best practices through demonstration sites, model farms, and farmer field schools.
These measures aim to reduce resource wastage and improve sustainability in rice production while ensuring food security in the region.
Vahid Seyfi, Sajad Khosroabadi,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: To sustain rural communities and enhance their economic and social vitality, their connections with urban centers and their position within the broader national framework must be preserved. Villages should adopt localized models to ensure their resilience. Unfortunately, a comprehensive model for sustainable rural livelihoods at the national and provincial levels is lacking, often leading to a uniform approach that overlooks regional specificities. This study aims to explore the revitalization of villages and the creation of sustainable livelihoods through biomass entrepreneurship. A biomass village is defined as a region where a comprehensive biomass utilization system is established and collaboratively managed by stakeholders in the area.
Methods: This research employed the meta-combination method to analyze a total of 120 articles and related studies sourced from the CIVILICA citation index (1380–1401). After applying inclusion criteria, 63 articles were selected for in-depth analysis. The study adopts a qualitative approach within the interpretive paradigm to explore a sustainable rural livelihood model grounded in the rural ecosystem. The research is practical, focusing on actionable insights for designing sustainable rural livelihoods.
Results: Key components identified for designing a sustainable rural livelihood model include: 1. Food Security and Nutrition: Ensuring rural food security and addressing malnutrition; 2. Human Capital Development: Increasing workforce productivity through higher literacy levels; 3. Tourism and Markets: Promoting sustainable tourism development and strengthening local markets and bazaars; 4. Infrastructure Investment: Investing in rural development infrastructure to support livelihoods.
Conclusions: The study synthesized findings from prior research conducted across various rural regions in the country to develop a model for sustainable rural livelihoods. The proposed model focuses on three primary axes:
- Rural Consumption Patterns: Encouraging sustainable consumption practices within rural households.
- Rural Poverty Reduction: Addressing poverty through targeted interventions and resource allocation.
- Household Livelihoods: Enhancing the economic resilience of rural households through diversified income sources.
By integrating these elements, the proposed model provides a comprehensive framework for revitalizing rural areas and fostering sustainable livelihoods. The findings underscore the importance of adopting localized, ecosystem-based approaches tailored to the unique needs of rural communities.
Amin Faal Jalali, Maryam Ghasemi,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate the impact of utilizing smart capabilities on improving rural tourism and addressing rural challenges in the target villages of Khorasan Razavi Province.
Method
The study’s statistical population comprised 261 tourists who either traveled to the villages or used virtual platforms to plan their visits. Due to the dispersed nature of the statistical population, a snowball sampling method was employed to select the sample. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software, applying statistical tests. Additionally, to examine the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the development of smart tourism in the studied villages, the PLS (Partial Least Squares) model was utilized.
Results
The findings indicate that existing tourism capacities have a direct and significant impact on the development of smart tourism. Among the evaluated components, smart transportation emerged as the most influential. Key aspects of smart transportation include online and offline routing, route traffic information, interstate services, and other related benefits. Following smart transportation, communication tools were identified as the second most effective component in fostering smart tourism. These tools include email, telephone, internet sites, and participation in messaging platforms or channels.
Additionally, the smart environment was found to play a significant role in the development of smart tourism. Features of the smart environment include the availability of robust antenna networks, internet connectivity at the village level, electronic banking services, and similar infrastructural advancements.
Conclusion
The results demonstrate that the average indicators related to virtual facilities in the studied villages exceed normal values. This indicates that the villages possess the necessary infrastructural and human resources to support the development of smart tourism. Furthermore, the analysis confirms that rural smart capabilities have a measurable impact on the advancement of smart tourism in the region.
Phd Abbas Nabati, Behroz Mohammadi Yeganeh, Mahdi Cheraghi,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Mining offers significant economic opportunities for farmers and rural residents in Iran, supplementing their primary occupations in agriculture and animal husbandry. Given the country’s specific territorial conditions, mining activities can contribute to sustainable development and influence various dimensions of rural life. This study investigates the effects of mining on sustainable rural development in Karani District.
Methods: This study is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical in method. Data collection was conducted through library research and fieldwork. The statistical population comprised 10 rural settlements in the Karani District with active mines in their surrounding areas. A total of 250 households were selected as the sample using the Cochran formula. Sustainability was assessed across three dimensions—environmental, social, and economic—using 40 indicators evaluated via a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the t-test and Mabak model, supported by SPSS and Excel software. ArcGIS was employed to generate maps.
Results: The study revealed that mining activities have positive and significant effects on the economic (average: 3.34) and social (average: 2.83) dimensions and also negative and significant effects on the environmental dimension (average: 3.22).
The Mabak model ranking of village sustainability showed top-ranked villages: Aghbolagh Taghamin (0.940), Ochgonbad Khan (0.715), and Bastandereh (0.568), and lowest-ranked village: Shahrak (-0.869).
Conclusions: Mining activities in the Karani District have led to a stable economic status, semi-sustainable social development, and unstable environmental conditions in rural areas. The sustainability ranking further indicates that, beyond proximity to mines, several factors influence village sustainability, including:
- Social awareness and the demand-driven spirit among residents.
- The performance and socio-political relations of local village managers, especially the village council and village head.
The findings highlight the dual-edged impact of mining, underscoring the need for strategies to balance economic benefits with environmental sustainability.