Showing 67 results for Rural Development
Mr Arash Derakhshan Darabi, Dr. Yaser Mohammadi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The current Research was conducted with the aim of Strategic Analysis of Rural Development Programs held by Basij Sazandegi Organization to formulate a superior strategic matrix.
Methods: The research followed the paradigm of mixed method (qualitative-quantitative) so that collecting data was done by interview and questionnaire tools in the qualitative and quantitative phases respectively. According to the purpose, the research statistical population consisted of two expert’s groups. In order to evaluate the environment of rural development programs, three groups of rural development organizations’ experts, experts from Basij Sazandegi Organization and rural informants (councils and local leaders), were surveyed. Each group consisted of 30 experts. Also, for developing the superior strategic matrix, 8 rural development experts were asked to rate importance of strategies. SWOT technique was used for environmental assessment and the superior strategic matrix was developed through hybrid TOPSIS-ANP method in Super Decisions software environment.
Results: The results of this study revealed that rural development programs exhibited strengths that surpassed their weaknesses, yet they were also confronted with threats. The superior strategic matrix further indicated that among the 10 strategies derived from environmental analysis, the strategy of "coordinating the Basij Sazandegi organization with other stakeholders of rural development in program formulation and reduction of redundancies" emerged as the foremost strategy. Subsequently, the strategies of "collaboration and regular meetings with local leaders for program implementation and evaluation of rural development initiatives" and "partnerships with associations and religious institutions to mobilize manpower and financial resources towards job creation projects" were ranked as the subsequent most important strategies.
Conclusions: In light of the research outcomes, it is recommended to expand the network of collaboration and cooperation with other rural development stakeholders and adhere to a comprehensive and targeted rural development model to enhance the effectiveness of constructive mobilization in RDPs of Basi.
Zeynab Aeeni, Khabat Nesaei, , Atefeh Ahmadi Dehrashid,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: In recent years, rural digital hubs have emerged as platforms capable of fostering the long-term sustainable development of villages by leveraging digital capabilities. However, in Iran, the lack of awareness about these centers has hindered their full potential from being realized.
Methods: This study aims to identify the factors and conditions influencing the adoption of digital innovation hubs in rural areas. To achieve this, a qualitative approach was employed, specifically using the grounded theory research strategy, to develop a framework for understanding the factors affecting the adoption of rural digital hubs. The study focuses on villages in Kurdistan Province. Data were collected through interviews with academic experts, government officials, and activists from non-governmental organizations, and analyzed using MAXQDA software.
Results: The findings are presented across the five dimensions of grounded theory. The study identifies:
- Causal conditions: "Economic and socio-cultural shortcomings."
- Contextual conditions: "Infrastructure, village structural characteristics, and demographic composition."
- Intervening conditions: "Lack of policy integration, inefficient rural management, and speculative economic practices."
- Strategies: "Identification of capacities, functions of digital hub centers, and pre-training initiatives."
- Outcomes: "Cultural-social development, economic development, and enhanced political acumen."
Conclusion: By identifying the conditions influencing the adoption of these digital platforms, this study provides a foundation for designing and implementing effective policies to unlock the potential of rural digital hubs.
Phd Abbas Nabati, Behroz Mohammadi Yeganeh, Mahdi Cheraghi,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Mining offers significant economic opportunities for farmers and rural residents in Iran, supplementing their primary occupations in agriculture and animal husbandry. Given the country’s specific territorial conditions, mining activities can contribute to sustainable development and influence various dimensions of rural life. This study investigates the effects of mining on sustainable rural development in Karani District.
Methods: This study is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical in method. Data collection was conducted through library research and fieldwork. The statistical population comprised 10 rural settlements in the Karani District with active mines in their surrounding areas. A total of 250 households were selected as the sample using the Cochran formula. Sustainability was assessed across three dimensions—environmental, social, and economic—using 40 indicators evaluated via a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the t-test and Mabak model, supported by SPSS and Excel software. ArcGIS was employed to generate maps.
Results: The study revealed that mining activities have positive and significant effects on the economic (average: 3.34) and social (average: 2.83) dimensions and also negative and significant effects on the environmental dimension (average: 3.22).
The Mabak model ranking of village sustainability showed top-ranked villages: Aghbolagh Taghamin (0.940), Ochgonbad Khan (0.715), and Bastandereh (0.568), and lowest-ranked village: Shahrak (-0.869).
Conclusions: Mining activities in the Karani District have led to a stable economic status, semi-sustainable social development, and unstable environmental conditions in rural areas. The sustainability ranking further indicates that, beyond proximity to mines, several factors influence village sustainability, including:
- Social awareness and the demand-driven spirit among residents.
- The performance and socio-political relations of local village managers, especially the village council and village head.
The findings highlight the dual-edged impact of mining, underscoring the need for strategies to balance economic benefits with environmental sustainability.
Mohamad Zaheri, Hossein Karimzadeh, Nabiollah Hosseini Shahpariyan,
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:
- 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.
Mohammad Hossein Zarei Abyaneh, Mohammad Salmani, Mojtaba Ghadiri Masoum, Alireza Darban Astane, Zahra Torkashvand,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this research is to spatially analyze the economic impacts of reverse migration in rural areas, focusing on Natanz County.
Methods: This study employed a survey-based research method. A sample of 381 individuals was selected from 24 villages in Natanz County using stratified sampling and Cochran’s formula. Data were collected through literature reviews, field observations, in-depth interviews, and questionnaires. For data analysis, one-sample T-tests and Kriging interpolation in ArcGIS software were used.
Results: In terms of investment, the southern half of Natanz County—especially the villages of Ooreh and Goodarzan—showed higher levels of investment, with a mean score of 3.75. For infrastructure development, the central and southern areas had the highest levels, with mean scores of 4.8 and 4.0 respectively. Regarding demand for services, the highest scores were observed in both the northern and parts of the southern villages (mean score: 4), while the eastern and western regions showed the lowest levels of development in this regard (mean score: 2.47). In terms of income generation, the southern villages had a higher average score (3.5) than their northern counterparts.
Conclusions: Given the attractiveness of certain villages in Natanz County—especially those with advantages such as proximity and easy access to urban centers, closeness to tourism hubs, suitable elevation, and moderate climate—a substantial wave of migration to these areas seems likely in the future.
Sajad Amiri, Seyed Amirhossein Garakani, Hossein Zinati Fakhrabad, Ali Akbar Sarmadi Syfi,
Volume 14, Issue 54 (2-2026)
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to identify the prerequisites and components related to technological entrepreneurship in the rural areas of the Khaf territorial system. Given the concentration of technological development in urban areas and the deprivation of rural communities from its benefits, this research investigates strategies for promoting technological entrepreneurship as a tool for reducing migration, strengthening the local economy, and improving the quality of life in rural regions.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the grounded theory approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 experts active in the field of rural entrepreneurship. The data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding processes.
Results: The results revealed that the factors influencing technological entrepreneurship fall into three categories: (1) individual factors such as motivation, risk tolerance, and technological skills; (2) environmental factors, including access to digital infrastructure, governmental support, and a culture receptive to technology; and (3) structural factors such as supportive policies and inter-institutional cooperation. Major challenges identified include mono-product economies, lack of specialized training, absence of communication infrastructure, and gender inequality. Proposed strategies include identifying local capacities, developing infrastructure, targeted training, and strengthening community participation.
Conclusions: Technological entrepreneurship can contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas by generating new employment opportunities, enhancing productivity, and preserving cultural identity. Developing a coherent framework that emphasizes local conditions and coordination between governmental and private institutions is essential for the success of this approach. The findings of this study provide practical insights for rural development policymakers and planners to design and implement more effective programs based on the key identified factors.
Azam Bigdeli, Jamshid Einali, Maryam Mohammadlo,
Volume 14, Issue 54 (2-2026)
Abstract
Objective: The present study aims to investigate the role of social entrepreneurship based on self-help groups in the economic empowerment of rural women in Topqareh rural district in Khodabandeh County (Zanjan province).
Methods: The present study is of an applied type, and its method is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population of the study is 645 women working in a clothing production workshop, of which 240 were selected as a sample using the Cochran formula. Due to the high participation of the individuals, 271 questionnaires were completed and used as the basis for analysis. A field method based on completing a questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed using one-sample t-tests, Wilcoxon, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
Results: The results of the one-sample t-test showed that social entrepreneurship has a positive effect on all indicators of rural women's empowerment, and the indicators of participation in household decision-making and promotion of women's personal and social security both had the greatest impact on rural women's empowerment, with a numerical mean of (4.11). Also, the results of the Wilcoxon test showed that there was a significant difference in all research indicators at the 99% level, and the greatest changes were observed in the indicators of socio-economic self-reliance (-11.511) and social freedom and mobility (-11.508).
Conclusions: Social entrepreneurship based on rural women's self-help groups has helped improve the economic indicators of rural women's empowerment.
