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Mojtaba Ghadiri Masom, Mohammad Amin Khorasani, Zahra Torkashvand, Shima Amidi,
Volume 10, Issue 37 (12-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 37 (12-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Entrepreneurship as a strategy in the development, prosperity and growth of human societies has been an invaluable mechanism through which all the factors, resources and facilities of a society are mobilized in a spontaneous and evolutionary fashion, which is the source of many positive economic and social effects and consequences. Knowing about the driving forces of rural entrepreneurship development are crucial. The development of rural entrepreneurship depends on some drivers such as appropriate infrastructure, environmental conditions, social cohesion and solidarity of entrepreneurs in different stages from production to supplement, quality of institutional services, supportive laws and policies and individual and behavioral characteristics of entrepreneurs. Despite the necessity of these drivers, the level of priority and significance are not the same, hence some of them will be mandatory and others might be complementary in the entrepreneurial process. This study seeks to identify the most important drivers of entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Iran by a systematic review of scientific publication in recent years, and prioritize these drivers based on their significance.
Methodology
This study is applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-analytical in terms of content. In this study, meta-analysis method was used to identify the drivers of entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Iran. 50 published papers in national and international scientific research journals until March 2018 were used to identify the drivers of entrepreneurship development. The main topic of these papers was entrepreneurship in rural areas of Iran. We implemented Q method for extracting and summarizing the most important factors of rural entrepreneurship. To this end, this study selected 38 Q statements as the Q sample. For sorting Q categories using purposive sampling method, 30 individuals familiar with rural entrepreneurship were selected as participants. Finally, factor analysis method in SPSS software was utilized to identify and prioritize the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship.
Discussion and conclusion
Findings of the meta-analysis from the review of sources indicate that among the conducted studies, behavioral, educational and technological, supportive, economic, social, and environmental and infrastructure drivers are among the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship development. Based on the findings of the Q method, which prioritized the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship, the discourse analysis and the participants' mental pattern highlighted the behavioral drivers. Behavioral drivers consist of ability to endure difficult and stressful situations, strengthen the self-confidence, problem solving skills, discipline at working, acknowledging opportunities and be risk-taking. For educational drivers, the participants prioritized adequate access to information channels and resources, investment in research and development to increase productivity, and taking entrepreneurship training courses. For economic drivers, the respondents underscored the access to seed money, granting low-interest loans and tax deduction in creating new production units. On supportive drivers, the priority was for transparent economic and tax rules and household support. The expansion of platforms and infrastructure (road, electricity, telephone, Internet, etc.) was the most important condition for infrastructure drivers. As a result, in order to develop rural entrepreneurship, in addition to these drivers, it is necessary to consider issues such as establishing rural incubators and think tanks, establishing rural development councils and entrepreneurship parks, and providing basic infrastructure for policy makers and planners.
Entrepreneurship as a strategy in the development, prosperity and growth of human societies has been an invaluable mechanism through which all the factors, resources and facilities of a society are mobilized in a spontaneous and evolutionary fashion, which is the source of many positive economic and social effects and consequences. Knowing about the driving forces of rural entrepreneurship development are crucial. The development of rural entrepreneurship depends on some drivers such as appropriate infrastructure, environmental conditions, social cohesion and solidarity of entrepreneurs in different stages from production to supplement, quality of institutional services, supportive laws and policies and individual and behavioral characteristics of entrepreneurs. Despite the necessity of these drivers, the level of priority and significance are not the same, hence some of them will be mandatory and others might be complementary in the entrepreneurial process. This study seeks to identify the most important drivers of entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Iran by a systematic review of scientific publication in recent years, and prioritize these drivers based on their significance.
Methodology
This study is applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-analytical in terms of content. In this study, meta-analysis method was used to identify the drivers of entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Iran. 50 published papers in national and international scientific research journals until March 2018 were used to identify the drivers of entrepreneurship development. The main topic of these papers was entrepreneurship in rural areas of Iran. We implemented Q method for extracting and summarizing the most important factors of rural entrepreneurship. To this end, this study selected 38 Q statements as the Q sample. For sorting Q categories using purposive sampling method, 30 individuals familiar with rural entrepreneurship were selected as participants. Finally, factor analysis method in SPSS software was utilized to identify and prioritize the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship.
Discussion and conclusion
Findings of the meta-analysis from the review of sources indicate that among the conducted studies, behavioral, educational and technological, supportive, economic, social, and environmental and infrastructure drivers are among the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship development. Based on the findings of the Q method, which prioritized the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship, the discourse analysis and the participants' mental pattern highlighted the behavioral drivers. Behavioral drivers consist of ability to endure difficult and stressful situations, strengthen the self-confidence, problem solving skills, discipline at working, acknowledging opportunities and be risk-taking. For educational drivers, the participants prioritized adequate access to information channels and resources, investment in research and development to increase productivity, and taking entrepreneurship training courses. For economic drivers, the respondents underscored the access to seed money, granting low-interest loans and tax deduction in creating new production units. On supportive drivers, the priority was for transparent economic and tax rules and household support. The expansion of platforms and infrastructure (road, electricity, telephone, Internet, etc.) was the most important condition for infrastructure drivers. As a result, in order to develop rural entrepreneurship, in addition to these drivers, it is necessary to consider issues such as establishing rural incubators and think tanks, establishing rural development councils and entrepreneurship parks, and providing basic infrastructure for policy makers and planners.
Hassanali Faraji Sabokbar, Alireza Darban Astaneh, Kourosh Akhavan Heydari, Masoud Modanlou Jouybari, Helia Khatami,
Volume 10, Issue 37 (12-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 37 (12-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Good governance is one of the most important and recent concepts that has been addressed in the development literature since the 1980s. A good rural governance is one of the basic requirements for achieving sustainable development. Rural entrepreneurship seeks to find the right combination of resources for economic activities to maximize profits. Moreover, rural entrepreneurs seek innovation and creativity in agricultural and non-agricultural activities, land use and optimal, diverse and innovative resource utilization for rural development. However, the development of businesses and rural entrepreneurship will not be possible without the entrepreneurial support of rural governance. Good rural governance is the implementation of rural policies in line with the people's interest and compatible with national, regional and local interests. It plays an important role in shaping regulation, and promoting and facilitating entrepreneurship for entrepreneurs. Efforts by public and private institutions at the societal level can reduce the constraints of entrepreneurship by reducing opportunity costs for new businesses. The word entrepreneurship comes from a French word meaning commitment and implies the process of creating value through the formation of a unique set of resources in order to take advantage of opportunities.
Methodology
The present research is applied and developmental in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. Data collection has been done in both filed study and desk research. The statistical population of this study is households living in rural areas of Gomishan County which consists of 5111 households. The unit of analysis is divided in three groups of households in the northern and eastern and western zones of Gomishan. In this study, 263 samples are taken in a systematic random sampling method using Cochran's formula. This study analyzed data in a multidisciplinary decision-making approach using WASPAS method and Interpretive structural modeling (ISM), which identifies and determines the relationships between 31 factors. These are extracted from interviews with experts as well as previous studies on good governance and entrepreneurship.
Discussion and conclusion
In the ISM graph, the factor of participation and legitimacy is at the lowest level of the good governance indicator in facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities, so these variables should be prioritized. The factor of efficiency and effectiveness also acts as a basis in the second level. The factors of consensus oriented, equity and inclusiveness are in the third level, and the factors of transparency and responsiveness are in the fourth level, and the factors of accountability are in the fifth level. In examining the impact and dependency of the variables of effectiveness and efficiency, consensus oriented and legitimacy are more influenced by other factors and from a systemic dependent element. In other words, many factors are involved in creating these elements and they can be less likely to cause the other variables. The variables of equity and inclusiveness are in the group of independent (autonomous) variables that have weak drive and dependence. These variables are relatively unconnected to the system and have high drive and low dependence. Transparency, accountability and participation are among the major effective variables of good governance in facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities. Basically, variables that have high impact power are called major variables. These variables fall into one of two groups of independent or linkage variables. Accountability is one of the linkage variables and has a high drive power and dependence. On the solution of the linear model in the best-worst method, participation variable with a weight of 0.401 were ranked first, as the most important index and accountability variable with a weight of 0.024 ranked eight, the least important indicator of good governance in facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities. The adaptability rate is at an acceptable level of 0.013. Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment is a new technique with high effectiveness and efficiency in the decision-making process. This technique is a combination of weighted sum model and weighted linear combination that make the output of the model very accurate. The findings show that in Gomishan County in terms of the effect of good governance factor facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities, the first, second and third ranks are the villages of the eastern area with a value of 3.365, the villages of the western area with a value of 3.229, and the villages of the northern area with a value of 3.117, respectively.
Good governance is one of the most important and recent concepts that has been addressed in the development literature since the 1980s. A good rural governance is one of the basic requirements for achieving sustainable development. Rural entrepreneurship seeks to find the right combination of resources for economic activities to maximize profits. Moreover, rural entrepreneurs seek innovation and creativity in agricultural and non-agricultural activities, land use and optimal, diverse and innovative resource utilization for rural development. However, the development of businesses and rural entrepreneurship will not be possible without the entrepreneurial support of rural governance. Good rural governance is the implementation of rural policies in line with the people's interest and compatible with national, regional and local interests. It plays an important role in shaping regulation, and promoting and facilitating entrepreneurship for entrepreneurs. Efforts by public and private institutions at the societal level can reduce the constraints of entrepreneurship by reducing opportunity costs for new businesses. The word entrepreneurship comes from a French word meaning commitment and implies the process of creating value through the formation of a unique set of resources in order to take advantage of opportunities.
Methodology
The present research is applied and developmental in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. Data collection has been done in both filed study and desk research. The statistical population of this study is households living in rural areas of Gomishan County which consists of 5111 households. The unit of analysis is divided in three groups of households in the northern and eastern and western zones of Gomishan. In this study, 263 samples are taken in a systematic random sampling method using Cochran's formula. This study analyzed data in a multidisciplinary decision-making approach using WASPAS method and Interpretive structural modeling (ISM), which identifies and determines the relationships between 31 factors. These are extracted from interviews with experts as well as previous studies on good governance and entrepreneurship.
Discussion and conclusion
In the ISM graph, the factor of participation and legitimacy is at the lowest level of the good governance indicator in facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities, so these variables should be prioritized. The factor of efficiency and effectiveness also acts as a basis in the second level. The factors of consensus oriented, equity and inclusiveness are in the third level, and the factors of transparency and responsiveness are in the fourth level, and the factors of accountability are in the fifth level. In examining the impact and dependency of the variables of effectiveness and efficiency, consensus oriented and legitimacy are more influenced by other factors and from a systemic dependent element. In other words, many factors are involved in creating these elements and they can be less likely to cause the other variables. The variables of equity and inclusiveness are in the group of independent (autonomous) variables that have weak drive and dependence. These variables are relatively unconnected to the system and have high drive and low dependence. Transparency, accountability and participation are among the major effective variables of good governance in facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities. Basically, variables that have high impact power are called major variables. These variables fall into one of two groups of independent or linkage variables. Accountability is one of the linkage variables and has a high drive power and dependence. On the solution of the linear model in the best-worst method, participation variable with a weight of 0.401 were ranked first, as the most important index and accountability variable with a weight of 0.024 ranked eight, the least important indicator of good governance in facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities. The adaptability rate is at an acceptable level of 0.013. Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment is a new technique with high effectiveness and efficiency in the decision-making process. This technique is a combination of weighted sum model and weighted linear combination that make the output of the model very accurate. The findings show that in Gomishan County in terms of the effect of good governance factor facilitating entrepreneurial opportunities, the first, second and third ranks are the villages of the eastern area with a value of 3.365, the villages of the western area with a value of 3.229, and the villages of the northern area with a value of 3.117, respectively.
Abolfazl Khosravi, Mohammad Reza Fathi, Jaber Yavari, Giti Salahi Isfahani,
Volume 10, Issue 38 (3-2022)
Volume 10, Issue 38 (3-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
One of the notable points in recent decades about villages has been the quantitative and qualitative growth of agricultural entrepreneurship in these areas. Recent studies have shown that farmers' entrepreneurship (as measured by start-ups) has a positive impact on conflict resolution and poverty reduction in developing countries (Bruton et al., 2013; Huang et al., 2014). ; Tobias et al., 2013). For example, according to Fitzgerald et al. (2018), due to the promising opportunities in theoretical and empirical analysis of entrepreneurship research, entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector should be given much attention. Carter et al. (2017) also emphasized that farmers' entrepreneurial research should focus more on the home activities of individuals and their communities. The slight growth of farmers' entrepreneurship refers to the number of entrepreneurial farmers as well as the number of economic enterprises established in the village. Qualitative growth of farmers 'entrepreneurship refers to how farmers use the proceeds of farmers' entrepreneurship to benefit individuals, households and communities. Therefore, the quality of farmers' entrepreneurial growth is attributed to the type of services that entrepreneurs provide to society.
Research Methods
The statistical population of this study is all entrepreneurs available in rural areas of Golpayegan city (which have special climatic conditions and suitable geographical environment for agricultural activities) which is done using Cochran's sampling formula. Considering that our statistical population was one, the sample is 162, out of 162 questionnaires that were distributed, 151 were complete and the rest were either incomplete or were not returned for some reason. In this research, the library method will be used to collect information and to formulate theoretical foundations and research history, and a standard questionnaire will be used to measure research variables.
Discussion and conclusion
This study examines the role that institutional capital and entrepreneurial capabilities play in the growth of agricultural entrepreneurship and their interactions. Obtaining any type of capital in the start-up phase is different, and the fields of agricultural entrepreneurship significantly affect the start-up phase. Based on the findings, the adequacy and interaction of both institutional capital and entrepreneurial capabilities are clearly essential in starting entrepreneurship and launching agricultural entrepreneurship and its quantitative and qualitative growth. For entrepreneurs with a history of agricultural entrepreneurship, human capital is the first capital they acquire and use to start a business. It is related to social capital in many ways. For example, business knowledge and experience help them achieve business connections and communication, while communication skills help maintain customer relationships. Social capital provides access to institutional capital and acts as a platform for gaining social acceptance and access to other resources, especially financial capital. The interrelationship of capital factors is also evident in rural entrepreneurs with no history of agricultural entrepreneurship. In the early stages of starting a business, they usually need the human capital to start an entrepreneurial business. Townsend et al. (2010) found that people increase their willingness to engage in entrepreneurial activities if they realize that they have the knowledge, skills, and experience to create jobs. Because their internal circles cannot provide them with the necessary human capital, they seek external resources, especially government support. Thus, institutional capital becomes the first capital of entrepreneurs to start, and this requires them to participate in various programs to develop and support entrepreneurship. As a result, it provides access to other necessary capital, including human capital, such as business knowledge and skills. Social capital such as communications and market communications and financial capital, such as working capital and other forms of financing. We provide the interrelationships of the framework of capital factors as well as capabilities, as shown in the conceptual model.
One of the notable points in recent decades about villages has been the quantitative and qualitative growth of agricultural entrepreneurship in these areas. Recent studies have shown that farmers' entrepreneurship (as measured by start-ups) has a positive impact on conflict resolution and poverty reduction in developing countries (Bruton et al., 2013; Huang et al., 2014). ; Tobias et al., 2013). For example, according to Fitzgerald et al. (2018), due to the promising opportunities in theoretical and empirical analysis of entrepreneurship research, entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector should be given much attention. Carter et al. (2017) also emphasized that farmers' entrepreneurial research should focus more on the home activities of individuals and their communities. The slight growth of farmers' entrepreneurship refers to the number of entrepreneurial farmers as well as the number of economic enterprises established in the village. Qualitative growth of farmers 'entrepreneurship refers to how farmers use the proceeds of farmers' entrepreneurship to benefit individuals, households and communities. Therefore, the quality of farmers' entrepreneurial growth is attributed to the type of services that entrepreneurs provide to society.
Research Methods
The statistical population of this study is all entrepreneurs available in rural areas of Golpayegan city (which have special climatic conditions and suitable geographical environment for agricultural activities) which is done using Cochran's sampling formula. Considering that our statistical population was one, the sample is 162, out of 162 questionnaires that were distributed, 151 were complete and the rest were either incomplete or were not returned for some reason. In this research, the library method will be used to collect information and to formulate theoretical foundations and research history, and a standard questionnaire will be used to measure research variables.
Discussion and conclusion
This study examines the role that institutional capital and entrepreneurial capabilities play in the growth of agricultural entrepreneurship and their interactions. Obtaining any type of capital in the start-up phase is different, and the fields of agricultural entrepreneurship significantly affect the start-up phase. Based on the findings, the adequacy and interaction of both institutional capital and entrepreneurial capabilities are clearly essential in starting entrepreneurship and launching agricultural entrepreneurship and its quantitative and qualitative growth. For entrepreneurs with a history of agricultural entrepreneurship, human capital is the first capital they acquire and use to start a business. It is related to social capital in many ways. For example, business knowledge and experience help them achieve business connections and communication, while communication skills help maintain customer relationships. Social capital provides access to institutional capital and acts as a platform for gaining social acceptance and access to other resources, especially financial capital. The interrelationship of capital factors is also evident in rural entrepreneurs with no history of agricultural entrepreneurship. In the early stages of starting a business, they usually need the human capital to start an entrepreneurial business. Townsend et al. (2010) found that people increase their willingness to engage in entrepreneurial activities if they realize that they have the knowledge, skills, and experience to create jobs. Because their internal circles cannot provide them with the necessary human capital, they seek external resources, especially government support. Thus, institutional capital becomes the first capital of entrepreneurs to start, and this requires them to participate in various programs to develop and support entrepreneurship. As a result, it provides access to other necessary capital, including human capital, such as business knowledge and skills. Social capital such as communications and market communications and financial capital, such as working capital and other forms of financing. We provide the interrelationships of the framework of capital factors as well as capabilities, as shown in the conceptual model.
Kebria Moradi, Hamdollah Sojasi Qeidary, Hamid Shayan, Omid Ali Kharazmi,
Volume 10, Issue 38 (3-2022)
Volume 10, Issue 38 (3-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
In recent decades, the international growth of agricultural tourism in rural economies has raised a number of important policy-related topics for local development planning, the most important of which is the development of production and support for entrepreneurship in agricultural tourism. Given that entrepreneurship in all areas, including agricultural tourism, is a complex phenomenon, agricultural tourism as a complex system encompasses a large range of interactions between economic, environmental, social, technical and financial elements. Therefore, the development of entrepreneurial businesses for agricultural tourism is based on the framework of the factors that make up the environment of a system. Therefore, all these factors must be investigated. Because these factors are interrelated and interact directly and indirectly. In this regard, identifying key factors and factors in the development of entrepreneurial businesses as a complex system can help to revitalize rural areas of the region and is effective in realizing the goals of entrepreneurship in rural areas. Therefore, in this research, it will be tried to identify the proposed dimensions and components for the development of entrepreneurial businesses in the field of agricultural tourism, and the model of development of entrepreneurial businesses in agricultural tourism will be provided based on the causality model.
Methodology
The current research is an applied research and regarding the results, it is an exploratory research. In this regard, the factors affecting the development of entrepreneurial businesses in agricultural tourism were identified and classified in four socio-cultural, individual skills, tourism facilities and policies. This research also focuses on the rural areas of Mahallat town due to its potential and its ability to develop agricultural tourism. According to field studies of 40 villages in the studied area in two districts of Khorheh and Bagherabad, 21 villages with agricultural tourism capability were identified and selected. In order to investigate the effect of each variable in the causal factors model, 30 questionnaires were designed and delivered to the executive and academic elites. Vensim software was used to draw the causal diagram based on systematic thinking, and to analyze the collected data, descriptive and inferential statistics (single sample and Friedman) were used in SPSS software.
Discussions and Results
The results of t test indicate that the factor of policy making and its related variables are the highest mean and then the factor of facilities and services of tourism with 4.02, the factor of individual skills with 3.8, socio-cultural factor with 3.7 and the factor of local capacity with 3.6 are placed in the next ranks respectively. Regarding the fact that in recent years, entrepreneurship is considered as one of the important components of job creation and economic development in societies, so in the last few decades, policymakers in different societies have tried to develop entrepreneurial policies for economic growth. Also, given that the rural development plays a very important role in national development, the development of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas can be considered as a tool for national development. The results of the research on the basis of the t test show that the impact of the policy making factor on the development of entrepreneurial businesses in agricultural tourism is ranked first, and the factor of tourism facilities and services, socio-cultural factors, individual skills and local agricultural capacities are the next ranks respectively. The results of the Friedman test also indicate that the factor of policy making is ranked first by the experts, so the findings of this study indicate that the government as the most influential factor through policies and policies related to the development of entrepreneurial entrepreneurship in the field of agricultural tourism and supportive policies can enhance the motivation and the fields of entrepreneurship development in the villages. On the other hand, it has a direct impact on other factors as well. Also, the cultural and social factor and policy will have a significant impact on the individual skills factor as there are positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship in the community as well as policy makers support entrepreneurial activities in rural areas, the desire for entrepreneurial activities in agricultural tourism grows in local communities. It also boosts social and communication skills, entrepreneurship creativity and innovation, and high-quality services, resulting in tourists coming to the region more frequently and defining their good experience everywhere. Also, the factors of policy making and individual skills will directly affect the factors of the facilities and services of the tourism because when qualified human resources are trained in local communities, especially experienced tour guides and thus creating interaction between tourists and residents of the region and awareness of tourists' needs can serve as a stimulating factor for satisfaction and safety of tourists. Local capacity factor is also an important factor in the development of entrepreneurial businesses in rural areas, because there is no potential and developmental capacity for this type of tourism in many areas.
In recent decades, the international growth of agricultural tourism in rural economies has raised a number of important policy-related topics for local development planning, the most important of which is the development of production and support for entrepreneurship in agricultural tourism. Given that entrepreneurship in all areas, including agricultural tourism, is a complex phenomenon, agricultural tourism as a complex system encompasses a large range of interactions between economic, environmental, social, technical and financial elements. Therefore, the development of entrepreneurial businesses for agricultural tourism is based on the framework of the factors that make up the environment of a system. Therefore, all these factors must be investigated. Because these factors are interrelated and interact directly and indirectly. In this regard, identifying key factors and factors in the development of entrepreneurial businesses as a complex system can help to revitalize rural areas of the region and is effective in realizing the goals of entrepreneurship in rural areas. Therefore, in this research, it will be tried to identify the proposed dimensions and components for the development of entrepreneurial businesses in the field of agricultural tourism, and the model of development of entrepreneurial businesses in agricultural tourism will be provided based on the causality model.
Methodology
The current research is an applied research and regarding the results, it is an exploratory research. In this regard, the factors affecting the development of entrepreneurial businesses in agricultural tourism were identified and classified in four socio-cultural, individual skills, tourism facilities and policies. This research also focuses on the rural areas of Mahallat town due to its potential and its ability to develop agricultural tourism. According to field studies of 40 villages in the studied area in two districts of Khorheh and Bagherabad, 21 villages with agricultural tourism capability were identified and selected. In order to investigate the effect of each variable in the causal factors model, 30 questionnaires were designed and delivered to the executive and academic elites. Vensim software was used to draw the causal diagram based on systematic thinking, and to analyze the collected data, descriptive and inferential statistics (single sample and Friedman) were used in SPSS software.
Discussions and Results
The results of t test indicate that the factor of policy making and its related variables are the highest mean and then the factor of facilities and services of tourism with 4.02, the factor of individual skills with 3.8, socio-cultural factor with 3.7 and the factor of local capacity with 3.6 are placed in the next ranks respectively. Regarding the fact that in recent years, entrepreneurship is considered as one of the important components of job creation and economic development in societies, so in the last few decades, policymakers in different societies have tried to develop entrepreneurial policies for economic growth. Also, given that the rural development plays a very important role in national development, the development of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas can be considered as a tool for national development. The results of the research on the basis of the t test show that the impact of the policy making factor on the development of entrepreneurial businesses in agricultural tourism is ranked first, and the factor of tourism facilities and services, socio-cultural factors, individual skills and local agricultural capacities are the next ranks respectively. The results of the Friedman test also indicate that the factor of policy making is ranked first by the experts, so the findings of this study indicate that the government as the most influential factor through policies and policies related to the development of entrepreneurial entrepreneurship in the field of agricultural tourism and supportive policies can enhance the motivation and the fields of entrepreneurship development in the villages. On the other hand, it has a direct impact on other factors as well. Also, the cultural and social factor and policy will have a significant impact on the individual skills factor as there are positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship in the community as well as policy makers support entrepreneurial activities in rural areas, the desire for entrepreneurial activities in agricultural tourism grows in local communities. It also boosts social and communication skills, entrepreneurship creativity and innovation, and high-quality services, resulting in tourists coming to the region more frequently and defining their good experience everywhere. Also, the factors of policy making and individual skills will directly affect the factors of the facilities and services of the tourism because when qualified human resources are trained in local communities, especially experienced tour guides and thus creating interaction between tourists and residents of the region and awareness of tourists' needs can serve as a stimulating factor for satisfaction and safety of tourists. Local capacity factor is also an important factor in the development of entrepreneurial businesses in rural areas, because there is no potential and developmental capacity for this type of tourism in many areas.
Hossein Karimzadeh, Sima Saadi,
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Despite the fact that the number of female entrepreneurs is growing, data shows that they grow at a slower rate than male entrepreneurs due to the difficulties and challenges they face. There have always been several obstacles and challenges in founding and growing enterprises, whether in urban or rural settings. On the other hand, the resources and contexts available for entrepreneurship can help to mitigate some of the barriers and challenges; in other words, the right geographical location and easy access to resources can help to foster entrepreneurship development, which is the foundation for regional development. Additionally, urban and rural women entrepreneurs play essential roles in the economic growth, particularly in developing and underprivileged countries. The World Bank claims that investing more in female entrepreneurship will result in a nation's development. The reasons are women's empowerment in society (whether urban or rural) eliminates inequality and poverty, and women are the first hope for family development and country development in underdeveloped countries. Female entrepreneurs' success in these societies benefits not only the economy but also the social and cultural structure. Nonetheless, women entrepreneurs confront numerous challenges, just like other groups of entrepreneurs.
Methodology
The study's statistical population is made up of women aged 15 to 65 who live in Marivan City and its surrounding villages. According to the statistical population of 65081 women between the ages of 15 and 65 in Marivan, 189 samples were chosen using Cochran's formula. In addition, 9 villages were chosen from a total of 93 villages in Marivan County based on their distance from the city: 3 villages within 0-5 km of the city (close), 3 villages within 5-10 km of the city (medium), and 3 villages at a distance of 10-15 km from the city (far). According to the statistical population (827), there are 113 questionnaires distributed in the villages indicated. For statistical analysis of the research, the one-sample t-test and ANOVA have used in SPSS 22 software, and for spatial analysis of the research ArcGIS software was used.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the research findings in the economic and political dimensions, women entrepreneurship growth in the both study area's settlements, namely rural areas and Marivan City, are not at the required level. The reasons are the lack of private investment in the region to build enterprises, the lack of banks and institutions offering loans and financial credits in rural regions, the existence of extreme poverty in the region, particularly in rural areas, lack risk-taking, lack of government assistance, lack of action in villages or municipalities to build and promote women's entrepreneurship, lack of public sector cooperation in investing in new firms, and so on. It should be mentioned that the status are considerably better in urban regions than rural ones. These findings are congruent with Sivanesan's 2014 study comparing rural and urban female entrepreneurship in India, as well as Robinson et al. (2004) and Rasekhi et al (2018). Marivan City has a better social and infrastructural status than rural areas in both social and infrastructural terms. Lack of participation of women in business organizations, unions, and guilds, lack of educational fields related to entrepreneurship in rural areas, lack of social security for women in the marketplace, lack of cooperation of rural managers with women, lack of a class or organization of women entrepreneurs, lack of appropriate technology infrastructure in rural areas are some of the reasons for this. These findings are in line with a 2011 study by Angela Davis comparing the priorities of urban and rural entrepreneurs' service demands, as well as studies by Asitik (2015) and Anthopoulou (2016). (2010). Both towns are in good shape in terms of individual dimensions, but when comparing the averages of the two, Marivan is in a better position than rural areas (cities with an average of 3.96 and villages with an average of 3.04). Individual qualities and backgrounds of entrepreneurship in the inhabitants of the research area, such as readiness to confront challenges and difficulties, not escaping unpleasant situations, people's level of responsibility, self-reliance, and acceptability, could be the cause for this. These findings are in line with those of a 2013 study in Kentucky by Hyunjeong Joo, which compared rural and urban entrepreneurs. There is a substantial difference in the mean of the desired dimensions, according to the analysis of the variance test. In addition, according to the post hoc test, the city of Marivan has the biggest differences from other groups, i.e. rural groups, in all of the analyzed characteristics. The city of Marivan has a better situation in the field of female entrepreneurship development than the rural areas analyzed, according to the findings of a spatial analysis of research in ArcGIS software. Due to the fact that the rural areas studied had an unfavorable situation in this regard, we have measured these areas by distance from the city. According to GIS maps, the villages near the city of Marivan, especially Bileh and Tazehabad, are in a more favorable situation than other rural areas. The reason for this can be considered the proximity of these villages to the city of Marivan.
Despite the fact that the number of female entrepreneurs is growing, data shows that they grow at a slower rate than male entrepreneurs due to the difficulties and challenges they face. There have always been several obstacles and challenges in founding and growing enterprises, whether in urban or rural settings. On the other hand, the resources and contexts available for entrepreneurship can help to mitigate some of the barriers and challenges; in other words, the right geographical location and easy access to resources can help to foster entrepreneurship development, which is the foundation for regional development. Additionally, urban and rural women entrepreneurs play essential roles in the economic growth, particularly in developing and underprivileged countries. The World Bank claims that investing more in female entrepreneurship will result in a nation's development. The reasons are women's empowerment in society (whether urban or rural) eliminates inequality and poverty, and women are the first hope for family development and country development in underdeveloped countries. Female entrepreneurs' success in these societies benefits not only the economy but also the social and cultural structure. Nonetheless, women entrepreneurs confront numerous challenges, just like other groups of entrepreneurs.
Methodology
The study's statistical population is made up of women aged 15 to 65 who live in Marivan City and its surrounding villages. According to the statistical population of 65081 women between the ages of 15 and 65 in Marivan, 189 samples were chosen using Cochran's formula. In addition, 9 villages were chosen from a total of 93 villages in Marivan County based on their distance from the city: 3 villages within 0-5 km of the city (close), 3 villages within 5-10 km of the city (medium), and 3 villages at a distance of 10-15 km from the city (far). According to the statistical population (827), there are 113 questionnaires distributed in the villages indicated. For statistical analysis of the research, the one-sample t-test and ANOVA have used in SPSS 22 software, and for spatial analysis of the research ArcGIS software was used.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the research findings in the economic and political dimensions, women entrepreneurship growth in the both study area's settlements, namely rural areas and Marivan City, are not at the required level. The reasons are the lack of private investment in the region to build enterprises, the lack of banks and institutions offering loans and financial credits in rural regions, the existence of extreme poverty in the region, particularly in rural areas, lack risk-taking, lack of government assistance, lack of action in villages or municipalities to build and promote women's entrepreneurship, lack of public sector cooperation in investing in new firms, and so on. It should be mentioned that the status are considerably better in urban regions than rural ones. These findings are congruent with Sivanesan's 2014 study comparing rural and urban female entrepreneurship in India, as well as Robinson et al. (2004) and Rasekhi et al (2018). Marivan City has a better social and infrastructural status than rural areas in both social and infrastructural terms. Lack of participation of women in business organizations, unions, and guilds, lack of educational fields related to entrepreneurship in rural areas, lack of social security for women in the marketplace, lack of cooperation of rural managers with women, lack of a class or organization of women entrepreneurs, lack of appropriate technology infrastructure in rural areas are some of the reasons for this. These findings are in line with a 2011 study by Angela Davis comparing the priorities of urban and rural entrepreneurs' service demands, as well as studies by Asitik (2015) and Anthopoulou (2016). (2010). Both towns are in good shape in terms of individual dimensions, but when comparing the averages of the two, Marivan is in a better position than rural areas (cities with an average of 3.96 and villages with an average of 3.04). Individual qualities and backgrounds of entrepreneurship in the inhabitants of the research area, such as readiness to confront challenges and difficulties, not escaping unpleasant situations, people's level of responsibility, self-reliance, and acceptability, could be the cause for this. These findings are in line with those of a 2013 study in Kentucky by Hyunjeong Joo, which compared rural and urban entrepreneurs. There is a substantial difference in the mean of the desired dimensions, according to the analysis of the variance test. In addition, according to the post hoc test, the city of Marivan has the biggest differences from other groups, i.e. rural groups, in all of the analyzed characteristics. The city of Marivan has a better situation in the field of female entrepreneurship development than the rural areas analyzed, according to the findings of a spatial analysis of research in ArcGIS software. Due to the fact that the rural areas studied had an unfavorable situation in this regard, we have measured these areas by distance from the city. According to GIS maps, the villages near the city of Marivan, especially Bileh and Tazehabad, are in a more favorable situation than other rural areas. The reason for this can be considered the proximity of these villages to the city of Marivan.
Masoumeh Pazkoi,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
The entrepreneurship approach, suggested by planners, is a strategy for Overcoming the socio-economic problems facing rural communities. Facilitating innovations and entrepreneurial activities with high effectiveness are the tools to achieve economic development in rural areas. Another necessary condition for the development of any society, especially rural communities, are the main components of social capital, namely, the expansion of social cohesion, the development of social participation and, most importantly, mutual trust (between the private sector and the government). To achieve the development of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas, planning for the existing resources in rural areas, especially human resources, is essential through empowerment and resilience. The variables of social capital, empowerment and resilience must be considered in achieving innovative performance. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the social capital relationship with the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs in the rural district of Filestan in Pakdasht County according to the variables of resilience and empowerment.
Methodology
The present research is an applied study, and due to the nature of the subject, the approach to the research process is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population of the study was villagers in villages with more than 20 households in Filestan Rural district. According to Cochran's formula, 353 households from 5 villages were obtained as a research sample. Then, based on the number of households in each village and by stratified sampling method, the number of samples in each village was calculated. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed according to the opinion of experts in geography and rural planning. Its reliability was obtained by Cronbach's alpha method, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software and ARAS, CODAS, WASPAS, COPELAND and MULTI-MOORA techniques.
Discussion and conclusion
The crucial strategy for survival in today's fast-paced world for the villages is the use of all available resources and the empowerment of all the capacities available to the villagers. Choosing this path requires providing a suitable platform that allows the emergence of creative skills and tactics, and entrepreneurial activities. In the current research, the relation of social capital with the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs in the villages of Filestan Rural district was studied with regard to resilience and empowerment variables. According to the results of Shannon's entropy method, among the criteria of social capital effective on resilience, the criterion of knowledge and awareness with a weight of 0.9981 has the most importance. A rural society with stronger social capital in comparison with other villages has stronger social cohesion, social support, informal social relations, social interactions, social justice, justice in the distribution of resources, and resilient innovative practices and entrepreneurial activities. According to the COPELAND technique, the indicators of the desirability of innovation at the end of the work and the holding of classes related to entrepreneurship in the village were ranked first in significance. The ranking based on the MULTI-MOORA method shows that the villagers of Golzar village are more capable in terms of innovative practices and entrepreneurial activities compared to other villages. The results of the WASPAS technique show that the village of Golzar has a superior position compared to other villages in the Filestan Rural district from the point of view of different dimensions of social capital that are effective in the resilience of innovative and entrepreneurial practices with a Qi equal to 0.8764 and acts stronger. The results of the CODAS technique show that the role of social capital on the performance of rural entrepreneurs in Golzar village has been more than in other villages of the Filestan Rural district. This means that based on the results of this research, the self-confidence of entrepreneurs in this village, along with planning, training, skill acquisition, competitiveness, flexibility and increasing participation, should lead to a diversity of employment and improvement of household income in addition to creating social cohesion. Therefore, this village has stronger social capital than other villages. In fact, social capital leads to common ideals, social harmony, social cohesion, motivation, trust, creativity, and forward-looking, which can directly affect the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs through empowerment and resilience.
The following suggestions are presented in order to improve the conditions of entrepreneurship according to the variables of empowerment, resilience and entrepreneurship in the study area:
The entrepreneurship approach, suggested by planners, is a strategy for Overcoming the socio-economic problems facing rural communities. Facilitating innovations and entrepreneurial activities with high effectiveness are the tools to achieve economic development in rural areas. Another necessary condition for the development of any society, especially rural communities, are the main components of social capital, namely, the expansion of social cohesion, the development of social participation and, most importantly, mutual trust (between the private sector and the government). To achieve the development of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas, planning for the existing resources in rural areas, especially human resources, is essential through empowerment and resilience. The variables of social capital, empowerment and resilience must be considered in achieving innovative performance. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the social capital relationship with the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs in the rural district of Filestan in Pakdasht County according to the variables of resilience and empowerment.
Methodology
The present research is an applied study, and due to the nature of the subject, the approach to the research process is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population of the study was villagers in villages with more than 20 households in Filestan Rural district. According to Cochran's formula, 353 households from 5 villages were obtained as a research sample. Then, based on the number of households in each village and by stratified sampling method, the number of samples in each village was calculated. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed according to the opinion of experts in geography and rural planning. Its reliability was obtained by Cronbach's alpha method, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software and ARAS, CODAS, WASPAS, COPELAND and MULTI-MOORA techniques.
Discussion and conclusion
The crucial strategy for survival in today's fast-paced world for the villages is the use of all available resources and the empowerment of all the capacities available to the villagers. Choosing this path requires providing a suitable platform that allows the emergence of creative skills and tactics, and entrepreneurial activities. In the current research, the relation of social capital with the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs in the villages of Filestan Rural district was studied with regard to resilience and empowerment variables. According to the results of Shannon's entropy method, among the criteria of social capital effective on resilience, the criterion of knowledge and awareness with a weight of 0.9981 has the most importance. A rural society with stronger social capital in comparison with other villages has stronger social cohesion, social support, informal social relations, social interactions, social justice, justice in the distribution of resources, and resilient innovative practices and entrepreneurial activities. According to the COPELAND technique, the indicators of the desirability of innovation at the end of the work and the holding of classes related to entrepreneurship in the village were ranked first in significance. The ranking based on the MULTI-MOORA method shows that the villagers of Golzar village are more capable in terms of innovative practices and entrepreneurial activities compared to other villages. The results of the WASPAS technique show that the village of Golzar has a superior position compared to other villages in the Filestan Rural district from the point of view of different dimensions of social capital that are effective in the resilience of innovative and entrepreneurial practices with a Qi equal to 0.8764 and acts stronger. The results of the CODAS technique show that the role of social capital on the performance of rural entrepreneurs in Golzar village has been more than in other villages of the Filestan Rural district. This means that based on the results of this research, the self-confidence of entrepreneurs in this village, along with planning, training, skill acquisition, competitiveness, flexibility and increasing participation, should lead to a diversity of employment and improvement of household income in addition to creating social cohesion. Therefore, this village has stronger social capital than other villages. In fact, social capital leads to common ideals, social harmony, social cohesion, motivation, trust, creativity, and forward-looking, which can directly affect the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs through empowerment and resilience.
The following suggestions are presented in order to improve the conditions of entrepreneurship according to the variables of empowerment, resilience and entrepreneurship in the study area:
- Creating the environment and background for entrepreneurship (capacity building);
- Applying the necessary self-confidence and empowerment strategies through specialized training in the field of starting entrepreneurial businesses and innovative actions;
- Applying resilience-building strategies through specialized training in order to increase the ability to return to the conditions before the tension and after the accidents and the flexibility and creativity of entrepreneurs;
- Providing the necessary support to entrepreneurs in the fields of removing administrative formalities and facilitating loan conditions;
- Personal and occupational insurance and the establishment of markets for the sale of agricultural and rural products;
- Intensifying the expansion of entrepreneurial activities by creating mobility and activity.
Fatemeh Mozafari, Abdolhamid Nazari, Shahbakhti Rostami, Mostafa Shahinifar,
Volume 11, Issue 41 (12-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 41 (12-2022)
Abstract
Introduction:
One of the current plans of the Iranian government is the "Home Business Organization Plan" to solve the problem of unemployment, which started in 2010. Even though home businesses are generally neglected in the economy, they are essential to creating employment, increasing income, improving the quality of life, reducing poverty, and perpetuating the population in rural areas. Unemployed, low-income or no-income villagers have welcomed the "home business organization plan" in Ilam province due to the following issues: geographical isolation, mountainous nature, distance from industrial and service centers, incompatibility of water and soil resources, lack of facilities for water control and transfer, the predominance of micro-agricultural exploitation units, the low level of mechanization, the severe financial weakness of the private sector, migration and the weakness of the economic foundations of rural society and in general the traditional and livelihood structure of production. In the present study, the issue has been discussed only from the economic viewpoint. Its purpose is to explain the role of economic dimensions of home businesses in the sustainable livelihood of rural households. Therefore, the central question of the present paper is: to what extent has the creation and development of home businesses in terms of job creation and diversification, increasing income and empowering and reducing poverty affected improving the sustainable livelihood of rural households?
Research Methods:
The current research is descriptive-analytical, and its statistical population includes 1476 households receiving loans in-home businesses who live in 287 villages in Ilam province. Considering the number and dispersion of villages, their selection was made by the sampling method. First, the number of villages was limited to 56 using cluster sampling (considering the homogeneity of four factors: altitude, distance from the city center, number of households and loan receivers). Then, the number of sample households was estimated to be 200 according to Cochran's formula and selected by simple random method. Finally, the data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire after confirming its validity and reliability. After confirming the data's normality through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, one-sample t-tests and confirmatory factor analysis were used to evaluate the hypothesis.
Results and Discussion:
The conceptual basis of the current research is based on the strategy of "sustainable livelihood". Sustainable livelihood is not a "theory" but a strategy discussed in the scientific and executive circles of development programs in the framework of "sustainable development theory". This strategy has four environmental, economic, social and institutional dimensions. The first principle of the sustainable livelihood strategy emphasizes "focusing on people" and achieving sustainable development is considered an endogenous and bottom-up motivational movement. Nevertheless, according to the general structure of the organization and planning system of Iran, in which the "government" has a central role in carrying out any plan, and in terms of sustainable livelihood strategy, it is considered an external intervening factor with a top-down orientation, this paradox should be considered more seriously. The results showed that the creation of home businesses from the economic aspect in the job creation indicators, primarily the increase of women's jobs and the diversification of activities, had positive effects, which indicates its alignment with the standards of sustainable household livelihood strategy. Although the plan has been relatively successful in increasing income, it has not been very successful in terms of empowerment, especially poverty alleviation of the lower strata of society. The evaluation of the effectiveness of creating home businesses on the sustainability livelihood by the target community showed that the factors of job creation and diversification of activity with a particular value of 2.743 and variance percentage of 31.509, income generation and empowerment with a special value of 1.192 and the variance percentage of 13.263 and poverty alleviation with the value of 1.043 and the variance percentage of 11.249 are ranked first to third, respectively. In general, the performance of the mentioned plan can be evaluated as successful in creating jobs and diversifying the activities of the studied households. According to the indicators in the area of income increase, there is an unbalanced distribution of resources, income and investment power, which shows the weakness of the economic foundations and the undesired livelihood of the villagers of Ilam Province. In the field of poverty alleviation, the plan has not been very successful. The results of this research are fundamentally different from similar international studies and have some similarities with some similar national studies.
One of the current plans of the Iranian government is the "Home Business Organization Plan" to solve the problem of unemployment, which started in 2010. Even though home businesses are generally neglected in the economy, they are essential to creating employment, increasing income, improving the quality of life, reducing poverty, and perpetuating the population in rural areas. Unemployed, low-income or no-income villagers have welcomed the "home business organization plan" in Ilam province due to the following issues: geographical isolation, mountainous nature, distance from industrial and service centers, incompatibility of water and soil resources, lack of facilities for water control and transfer, the predominance of micro-agricultural exploitation units, the low level of mechanization, the severe financial weakness of the private sector, migration and the weakness of the economic foundations of rural society and in general the traditional and livelihood structure of production. In the present study, the issue has been discussed only from the economic viewpoint. Its purpose is to explain the role of economic dimensions of home businesses in the sustainable livelihood of rural households. Therefore, the central question of the present paper is: to what extent has the creation and development of home businesses in terms of job creation and diversification, increasing income and empowering and reducing poverty affected improving the sustainable livelihood of rural households?
Research Methods:
The current research is descriptive-analytical, and its statistical population includes 1476 households receiving loans in-home businesses who live in 287 villages in Ilam province. Considering the number and dispersion of villages, their selection was made by the sampling method. First, the number of villages was limited to 56 using cluster sampling (considering the homogeneity of four factors: altitude, distance from the city center, number of households and loan receivers). Then, the number of sample households was estimated to be 200 according to Cochran's formula and selected by simple random method. Finally, the data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire after confirming its validity and reliability. After confirming the data's normality through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, one-sample t-tests and confirmatory factor analysis were used to evaluate the hypothesis.
Results and Discussion:
The conceptual basis of the current research is based on the strategy of "sustainable livelihood". Sustainable livelihood is not a "theory" but a strategy discussed in the scientific and executive circles of development programs in the framework of "sustainable development theory". This strategy has four environmental, economic, social and institutional dimensions. The first principle of the sustainable livelihood strategy emphasizes "focusing on people" and achieving sustainable development is considered an endogenous and bottom-up motivational movement. Nevertheless, according to the general structure of the organization and planning system of Iran, in which the "government" has a central role in carrying out any plan, and in terms of sustainable livelihood strategy, it is considered an external intervening factor with a top-down orientation, this paradox should be considered more seriously. The results showed that the creation of home businesses from the economic aspect in the job creation indicators, primarily the increase of women's jobs and the diversification of activities, had positive effects, which indicates its alignment with the standards of sustainable household livelihood strategy. Although the plan has been relatively successful in increasing income, it has not been very successful in terms of empowerment, especially poverty alleviation of the lower strata of society. The evaluation of the effectiveness of creating home businesses on the sustainability livelihood by the target community showed that the factors of job creation and diversification of activity with a particular value of 2.743 and variance percentage of 31.509, income generation and empowerment with a special value of 1.192 and the variance percentage of 13.263 and poverty alleviation with the value of 1.043 and the variance percentage of 11.249 are ranked first to third, respectively. In general, the performance of the mentioned plan can be evaluated as successful in creating jobs and diversifying the activities of the studied households. According to the indicators in the area of income increase, there is an unbalanced distribution of resources, income and investment power, which shows the weakness of the economic foundations and the undesired livelihood of the villagers of Ilam Province. In the field of poverty alleviation, the plan has not been very successful. The results of this research are fundamentally different from similar international studies and have some similarities with some similar national studies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ali Janabi Namin, Ahad Norouzzadeh,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
In the current situation, the rural society of the country, especially the villages of Ardabil Province, is plagued with many issues and problems, including low income, poverty, migration, evacuation of villages, and low availability of health and welfare services. The main characteristic of all existing issues and problems is related to the weak economic foundations of people and their unstable employment situation. According to experts, one of the necessary solutions to solve these issues and problems is the output and development of entrepreneurship, especially in the villages, emphasizing tasks. Watershed management is conducted in the province, and the ultimate goal of implementing these plans is the well-being of the watershed residents.
Methodology
The current research was conducted in two qualitative (thematic analysis) and quantitative stages to design and validate the entrepreneurship model and sustainable rural development, emphasizing watershed management projects. This research is exploratory in terms of purpose and descriptive in terms of type, which was carried out in the field in Ardabil Province. The research was first qualitative interview type and the second quantitative survey method. The statistical population of the research in the first stage was 20 professors of management and watershed management and senior supervisors of the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Ardabil Province. In the second stage, 200 respondents from beneficiaries of watershed management projects in Ardabil Province were selected for the structural equation modeling method. During the first stage of this research, we conducted in-depth and semi-structured interviews to collect data. In the second stage, we used a redesigned questionnaire with closed answers (using the Likert scale) to collect information based on the indicators of the entrepreneurship model and sustainable rural development, focusing on watershed management projects.
Discussion and conclusion
The coding results show that the factors influencing the formation of this pattern were categorized into seven more primary factors (promotion, providing sustainable resources, tourism, social, economic, new jobs, participation, and empowerment) and 38 concepts (open codes). Based on the research results and among the extracted main components, the tourism component, with a path coefficient of 0.902, has had the greatest impact on the sustainable entrepreneurship of the villagers based on the implemented watershed management plans. Finally, among the influential components in the sustainable entrepreneurship of villagers based on implemented watershed projects, the "promotion" component with a path coefficient of 0.759 has had the most negligible impact in the designed model.
In the current situation, the rural society of the country, especially the villages of Ardabil Province, is plagued with many issues and problems, including low income, poverty, migration, evacuation of villages, and low availability of health and welfare services. The main characteristic of all existing issues and problems is related to the weak economic foundations of people and their unstable employment situation. According to experts, one of the necessary solutions to solve these issues and problems is the output and development of entrepreneurship, especially in the villages, emphasizing tasks. Watershed management is conducted in the province, and the ultimate goal of implementing these plans is the well-being of the watershed residents.
Methodology
The current research was conducted in two qualitative (thematic analysis) and quantitative stages to design and validate the entrepreneurship model and sustainable rural development, emphasizing watershed management projects. This research is exploratory in terms of purpose and descriptive in terms of type, which was carried out in the field in Ardabil Province. The research was first qualitative interview type and the second quantitative survey method. The statistical population of the research in the first stage was 20 professors of management and watershed management and senior supervisors of the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Ardabil Province. In the second stage, 200 respondents from beneficiaries of watershed management projects in Ardabil Province were selected for the structural equation modeling method. During the first stage of this research, we conducted in-depth and semi-structured interviews to collect data. In the second stage, we used a redesigned questionnaire with closed answers (using the Likert scale) to collect information based on the indicators of the entrepreneurship model and sustainable rural development, focusing on watershed management projects.
Discussion and conclusion
The coding results show that the factors influencing the formation of this pattern were categorized into seven more primary factors (promotion, providing sustainable resources, tourism, social, economic, new jobs, participation, and empowerment) and 38 concepts (open codes). Based on the research results and among the extracted main components, the tourism component, with a path coefficient of 0.902, has had the greatest impact on the sustainable entrepreneurship of the villagers based on the implemented watershed management plans. Finally, among the influential components in the sustainable entrepreneurship of villagers based on implemented watershed projects, the "promotion" component with a path coefficient of 0.759 has had the most negligible impact in the designed model.
Shima Amidi, Mojtaba Ghadiri Masoum, Mohammad Amin Khorasani, Zahra Torkashvand,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The rural entrepreneurial ecosystem plays a pivotal role in stimulating entrepreneurship and employment in rural areas. By leveraging entrepreneurship in rural regions, it is possible to address the challenges faced by these areas and create dynamic and innovative economies. Despite favorable climatic, geographic, connectivity, and accessibility conditions, Alborz province has experienced inappropriate economic conditions in its rural areas in recent years, including rising unemployment rates, low economic participation rates, and income disparities between rural and urban households. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the status of the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem in Alborz province as a key economic indicator.
Methods: This research was conducted within a quantitative research methodology. Data collection was carried out through a combination of library research and field surveys, with questionnaires being the primary tool in the field. The statistical population comprised the villages of Alborz province, from which a sample of 33 villages was selected. Using the Cochran formula, a sample size of 380 individuals was determined for completing the questionnaires. For data analysis, statistical tests such as chi-square, one-sample t-test, ANOVA, Duncan’s post hoc test, and Kriging interpolation were employed.
Results: The research findings indicate that the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem in Alborz province is in a suboptimal state. Out of the ten key indicator groups examined, including business indicators, financial indicators, educational indicators, human capital indicators, support indicators, market and customer indicators, social indicators, cultural indicators, infrastructure indicators, and innovation, research, and development indicators, only two groups were found to be in a favorable condition, while the remaining eight groups were in an unfavorable state. Additionally, the geographical distribution of the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem's status varies across the province.
Conclusions: The presence of hard infrastructure such as access to transportation networks and urban centers is insufficient on its own to foster the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Concurrently, the development of soft infrastructure, including financial services, education, various support systems, human and social capital, and research and development, must also be prioritized.
Methods: This research was conducted within a quantitative research methodology. Data collection was carried out through a combination of library research and field surveys, with questionnaires being the primary tool in the field. The statistical population comprised the villages of Alborz province, from which a sample of 33 villages was selected. Using the Cochran formula, a sample size of 380 individuals was determined for completing the questionnaires. For data analysis, statistical tests such as chi-square, one-sample t-test, ANOVA, Duncan’s post hoc test, and Kriging interpolation were employed.
Results: The research findings indicate that the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem in Alborz province is in a suboptimal state. Out of the ten key indicator groups examined, including business indicators, financial indicators, educational indicators, human capital indicators, support indicators, market and customer indicators, social indicators, cultural indicators, infrastructure indicators, and innovation, research, and development indicators, only two groups were found to be in a favorable condition, while the remaining eight groups were in an unfavorable state. Additionally, the geographical distribution of the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem's status varies across the province.
Conclusions: The presence of hard infrastructure such as access to transportation networks and urban centers is insufficient on its own to foster the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Concurrently, the development of soft infrastructure, including financial services, education, various support systems, human and social capital, and research and development, must also be prioritized.
Horieh Moradi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
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.
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.
Mohamad Zaheri, Hossein Karimzadeh, Nabiollah Hosseini Shahpariyan,
Volume 13, Issue 50 (12-2024)
Volume 13, Issue 50 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in job creation, wealth generation, and economic growth, serving as a key driver of community development. However, the emergence of rural entrepreneurship requires the establishment of a supportive ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurial activities. This study aims to identify the factors affecting rural entrepreneurship development through a meta-analysis approach, utilizing CMA3 software.
Method: This study analyzed all relevant research articles published in Iranian academic journals over the past 12 years. Using keyword-based searches in credible scientific databases, 13 research articles and 2 university dissertations met the inclusion criteria. The final meta-analysis incorporated 11 key factors and 343 variables.
Findings: The results indicate that out of all identified variables:
Method: This study analyzed all relevant research articles published in Iranian academic journals over the past 12 years. Using keyword-based searches in credible scientific databases, 13 research articles and 2 university dissertations met the inclusion criteria. The final meta-analysis incorporated 11 key factors and 343 variables.
Findings: The results indicate that out of all identified variables:
- 175 variables were repeated at least 50 times in different studies.
- 8 variables (16%) had a low effect size (<0.3).
- 37 variables (74%) had a moderate effect size (0.3–0.5).
- 5 variables (10%) had a high effect size (>0.5).
Among the 11 main influencing factors, 7 factors were the most frequently cited:
- Individual Factors (Competitiveness, enthusiasm, and ambiguity tolerance);
- Economic Factors (Production & marketing, access to financial support);
- Social Factors (Place attachment, NGOs, economic security);
- Environmental Factors (Access to land & water, suitable natural conditions);
- Infrastructure Factors (Physical infrastructure, business environment, market access);
- Educational Factors (Entrepreneurial training);
- Institutional Factors (Institution-building, media coverage, entrepreneurship laws).
Conclusions: The meta-analysis approach highlights that rural entrepreneurship is shaped by multiple interrelated factors. This study integrates findings from diverse research to prioritize key influencing factors based on effect size, leading to the development of a comprehensive rural entrepreneurship model.
Moslem Soleymanpor, Reza Norouzi Ajirlo,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Abstract
Objective: In recent years, one of the key issues in the development of rural areas is the significant decline in population and economic challenges. Rural regeneration can lead to economic growth and increase community participation and social cohesion by promoting local businesses, attracting investment and creating jobs. . Economic survival and social entrepreneurship can facilitate this as two important influencing factors.
Methods: In this research, which is categorized as applied and descriptive correlational type research, a questionnaire was used to collect data. The statistical population of the study included villagers and village councils and rural entrepreneurship experts with experience in the field of social entrepreneurship from 124 selected villages of Bakshlochai, Turkman and Bash Qala villages in the central part of Urmia city and 180 respondents were selected using the available sampling method. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS23 software and structural equation modeling method (PLS SMART software) and the results were used to test the model and verify the hypotheses.
Results: The results show that there is a direct and significant relationship between the components of economic survival (economic, social and environmental factors) and rural regeneration (B=0.586) and between social entrepreneurship and rural regeneration (B=0.397) at 0.001 level of significance.
Conclusions: In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of economic survival and social entrepreneurship for the growth and development of rural regeneration, and the impact of social entrepreneurship and economic survival on rural areas can be seen in various dimensions, including job creation, social participation and sustainable development. With proper training and support to rural households, villagers' income from such investments can be significantly increased, which will lead to an increase in village regeneration indicators.
Mahtab Zhian, Bijan Rezaei , Nader Naderi,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of designing an indigenous model for the development of cooperatives with a rural entrepreneurship approach in Kermanshah Province.
Methods: The research adopted a qualitative approach, employing the grounded theory method to extract the model. The target population included managers and experts from the Kermanshah Province Department of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, faculty members from Razi University, and entrepreneurs active in rural cooperatives within the province. Theoretical sampling was applied, and theoretical saturation was reached after 12 in-depth interviews. Data analysis followed the three-stage coding process—open, axial, and selective coding.
Results: The three-stage coding process identified the foundations of rural entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial cohesion within rural cooperatives, and individual characteristics of rural cooperative entrepreneurs as causal conditions. Contextual conditions included the diversity of rural entrepreneurial opportunities in the cooperative sector, access to production factors, the province’s strategic location, scientific support from experts and specialists, the foundation of collective entrepreneurship (through rural cooperatives), cultural barriers, and weaknesses in the education system. Intervening conditions encompassed climate change, economic factors, environmental disorder and instability, organizational factors, communication and information dissemination factors, genuine governmental support for cooperatives, and infrastructural factors. Identified strategies included business diversification, revision of spatial planning programs, empowerment of cooperative companies, utilization of international trade opportunities, promotion and cultural awareness, and corrective-supportive strategies. The identified outcomes comprised improved quality of life for rural residents, sustainable rural development, and the presence of entrepreneurial rural cooperatives.
Conclusions: To develop cooperatives with a rural entrepreneurship approach in Kermanshah Province, it is essential to consider all factors that accelerate the development process, alongside providing the specific prerequisites for this field and implementing comprehensive planning. The results of this research strengthen the literature on rural and cooperative-based entrepreneurship and offer practical insights to assist rural managers and planners in promoting cooperative-centered rural entrepreneurship, ultimately contributing to the rural development process.
Methods: The research adopted a qualitative approach, employing the grounded theory method to extract the model. The target population included managers and experts from the Kermanshah Province Department of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, faculty members from Razi University, and entrepreneurs active in rural cooperatives within the province. Theoretical sampling was applied, and theoretical saturation was reached after 12 in-depth interviews. Data analysis followed the three-stage coding process—open, axial, and selective coding.
Results: The three-stage coding process identified the foundations of rural entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial cohesion within rural cooperatives, and individual characteristics of rural cooperative entrepreneurs as causal conditions. Contextual conditions included the diversity of rural entrepreneurial opportunities in the cooperative sector, access to production factors, the province’s strategic location, scientific support from experts and specialists, the foundation of collective entrepreneurship (through rural cooperatives), cultural barriers, and weaknesses in the education system. Intervening conditions encompassed climate change, economic factors, environmental disorder and instability, organizational factors, communication and information dissemination factors, genuine governmental support for cooperatives, and infrastructural factors. Identified strategies included business diversification, revision of spatial planning programs, empowerment of cooperative companies, utilization of international trade opportunities, promotion and cultural awareness, and corrective-supportive strategies. The identified outcomes comprised improved quality of life for rural residents, sustainable rural development, and the presence of entrepreneurial rural cooperatives.
Conclusions: To develop cooperatives with a rural entrepreneurship approach in Kermanshah Province, it is essential to consider all factors that accelerate the development process, alongside providing the specific prerequisites for this field and implementing comprehensive planning. The results of this research strengthen the literature on rural and cooperative-based entrepreneurship and offer practical insights to assist rural managers and planners in promoting cooperative-centered rural entrepreneurship, ultimately contributing to the rural development process.
Yaser Mohammadi, Freshteh Avatefi Akmal,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: In recent decades, the issue of empowering rural women has attracted significant attention from rural development planners. One of the factors that plays a crucial role in this process is the establishment and expansion of microenterprises. The present study was conducted with the aim of examining the impact of creating and developing microenterprises on the empowerment of rural women.
Methods: This study employed meta-analysis as a statistical and systematic method for synthesizing the findings of previous research in the field under investigation. The statistical population consisted of accessible studies addressing the relationship between microenterprises and rural women’s empowerment, published in scientific databases (Sid, Ensani, Noormags, Magiran, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus) during the years 2000–2024. In total, 720 studies were identified, of which 30 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were analyzed using CMA2 software. Based on the results of heterogeneity tests (Q index and I² statistic), a random-effects model was selected. Furthermore, to map the research network and identify frequently occurring concepts in this domain, VOSviewer software was used. For this purpose, research keywords were searched in international databases, and the extracted data from selected articles were stored in CSV format and imported into VOSviewer. Domestic sources were searched separately, and the relevant articles were manually entered into the software. Subsequently, scientometric indicators were analyzed using this tool.
Results: The results of the thematic network analysis using VOSviewer revealed co-occurrence between rural women’s empowerment and topics such as entrepreneurship, microcredit, and income. According to Begg and Mazumdar’s correlation test, the included studies demonstrated relative symmetry, confirming the absence of publication bias in the present research. The combined effect size was calculated at 0.453, which, based on Cohen’s criteria, indicates a moderate impact of microenterprise development on the empowerment of rural women.
Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that the establishment and expansion of microenterprises have a significant and positive effect on the empowerment of rural women. Therefore, strengthening rural women’s businesses can serve as a key driver of empowerment, a process that requires supportive systems and institutional backing.
Firooz Nazeri, Seyed Ramin Ghafari, Amir Gandomkar, Hamid Saberi,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Ecotourism supports sustainable rural development by preserving the environment and biodiversity, creating jobs, enhancing entrepreneurship, and improving local livelihoods. This study examines how ecotourism impacts entrepreneurship indicators in rural settlements of Dalkhani District, Ramsar County.
Methods: The research is descriptive–analytical and applied, using documentary and field methods (questionnaires, interviews, observations). The statistical population comprises 3,475 households in 98 rural settlements, from which 370 were selected via Cochran’s formula using systematic random sampling. Questionnaire validity was confirmed by ecotourism and entrepreneurship experts; reliability was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.949). Data were analyzed with SPSS, Smart PLS, and GIS tools, applying Spearman correlation, one-sample t-tests, and path analysis to explore causal relationships.
Results: Among ecotourism dimensions, the economic (score = 31.53) and socio-cultural (score = 27.91) indicators had the strongest correlation (0.74). The weakest link was between physical–spatial and economic indicators (0.32). All dimensions significantly affected rural entrepreneurship, with ecotourism markedly fostering entrepreneurial activities.
Conclusion: In Dalkhani, ecotourism has created jobs, increased household income through accommodation, hospitality, agricultural product sales, and handicrafts, and moderately improved local infrastructure. However, insufficient attention to sustainability risks ecological and cultural imbalances. Future rural planning should integrate sustainability to ensure long-term benefits.
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