Showing 115 results for Development
Nahid Isa Nejad, Ali Akbar Najafi Kani , Alireza Khajeh Shakooei,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Today, one of the country's tourism patterns is second homes tourism, often common in mountainous regions with mild regions. The second homes are primarily located in spectacular areas, recreational places, and on the outskirts of large and medium-sized cities. Rural tourism is a reliable source of income in many countries and has an increasing impact on improving rural households' economic and physical situation. The current study investigates the consequences of second homes tourism in mountainous villages near the metropolis of Tehran.
Researchers believe that households living elsewhere buy or rent second homes. Such homes are usually located in rural areas and are used for recreational purposes and are also called weekend homes and holiday homes.
Second homes usually have four characteristics:
- A private home that family and guests often use on weekends and holidays.
-A private home that is alternately used as a holiday home.
- It is often purchased for retirement periods but is also used as a commercial property.
- Used as holiday homes, commercially as an investment, and usually by an agency.
Methodology
This study is applied with a descriptive and field descriptive method. According to the 1395 census, the statistical population of the current study is rural households living in 9 villages, totaling 5554 persons. 310 villages were chosen as the sample community using the Cochran algorithm, and data were analyzed using correlation analysis, Friedman, Kruskalvalis, and Linear regression in SPSS software.
Shemiranat is one of the counties of Tehran Province, considered an excellent tourism region of Iran, and consists of two districts: Lavasanat and Rudbar-e Qasran. According to the census of 2016, Rudbar-e Qasran District has a population of 17419. The Qasran Bastani region includes Oushan, Fasham, Darbandsar, Gajereh, and the villages at the foothill of Tochal to the western areas of the Jajrud River. Contrary to many peoples’ beliefs, the language of the people of Rudbar-e Qasran District in most neighborhoods, especially Meygun, Shahrestanak, Lalan, Zayegan, Ruteh, Garmabdar, Shemshak, and Darbandsar, is Mazandarani.
Discussion and conclusion
The results of Chi-square, Spearman, and Kendall correlation analysis demonstrate that the construction of second homes has a substantial association with a 99 percent confidence level with physical changes in villages and improved economic indicators. Friedman's findings also rank the most effective elements in recruiting tourists and increasing second houses. Kruskal-Wallis's findings reveal that second-home tourism affects all communities analyzed in terms of physical and economic characteristics and that they are all similar. The results of the linear regression test reveal that, depending on the variables evaluated, the investigated components are acceptable and significant. The coefficient of determination indicates that around 95% of the development is determined by the variables analyzed, with only about 5% depending on variables not discovered in this study.
The second homes are part of the tourism industry, which aims to use and introduce natural, cultural, historical, and other resources in the region to tourists to create opportunities for tourism development, which creates business in rural areas. Second homes can also be considered a potential product that elevates the level of society and puts the country in the tourism industry.
In this regard, sustainable tourism emerged as the only solution to save nature and human beings. From this perspective, the paradigm of sustainable tourism examines tourism across borders. The tourism industry creates a triangular relationship between the host community, their territory, and the guest community (tourists). The goal is to alleviate any pressure or crises that may arise and achieve a long-term balance between all three parties.
Ali Janabi Namin, Ahad Norouzzadeh,
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.
Javad Vahabi, Mohammad Baset Ghoreishi , Nasrollah Molaei Hashjin,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
The concept of water resources management changes over time with various factors, such as environmental knowledge, technology, and recognition of the difference in the value of water resources. Water resources management is affected by various economic, social, political, cultural, and technical factors. Accordingly, the concept of sustainable management of agricultural water resources has been raised in response to the issues of inappropriate use of water resources and harmful environmental effects and the traditional agricultural economy. Reducing water resources increases the cost of new water resource provision, and usually, developing countries cannot meet these costs. Therefore, the optimal consumption and the correct management of the supply and demand of existing water resources are proposed to meet the economic cost. Water will be an effective agent. Many scientists have studied the relationship between water and economic development from different aspects, for example, in the case of natural disasters like floods and droughts. The results of studies have shown that available water for agriculture and economic development, and investment in water infrastructure, especially in the agricultural sector, reduce poverty in some African countries. Development generally means improving the material and spiritual level of human society and creating suitable conditions for a healthy life for all members of society. According to this concept, development includes economic, social, political, and cultural aspects, which include quantitative and qualitative changes. The desired purpose of development is to improve the quality of life for everyone. Therefore, the effort to achieve development should be in a way that includes the interests of most people.
Methodology
This article is a survey-based analysis, which means it focuses on a small portion of society, specifically village officials and farmer households in the study area. The necessary data was collected through a questionnaire. The statistical population of the research is the villages of the central floodplain of Gilan, which includes village officials and farmer households of the villages of the study area. 384 questionnaires were randomly completed. Then, the questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS software and with relevant statistical tests.
Discussion and conclusion
The results showed that, according to 50% of respondents, agricultural water resources management has a moderate effect on increasing the diversity of agricultural activities, 46.8% on increasing purchasing power and housing construction, and 42.2% on reducing costs. Production in the agricultural sector is considered low. From the perspective of 27.6% of respondents, the effect of agricultural water resource management on reducing production costs in the agricultural sector is high, and 44.3% has a moderate effect on the area under cultivation of agricultural products. According to the survey, 25.6% of respondents believe that the impact of agricultural water resource management on expanding the cultivation area of agricultural products is minimal. Out of the respondents, 38.3% believe that agricultural water resources management moderately improves their satisfaction with life in the village, while 29.7% think it also moderately enhances their satisfaction.
Additionally, 30.5% of the respondents stated that agricultural water resources management has significantly impacted increasing attention toward transformation industries in agriculture. It has been found through research that managing agricultural water resources has significant effects on various aspects of agriculture and rural communities. Specifically, it has a 34.7% impact on agricultural production growth, a 29.4% impact on agricultural output increase, a 50.3% impact on rural employment generation, and a 50.11% impact on the income and well-being of villagers in the central plains of Gilan Province.
Sajad Amiri, Amirhossein Garakani, Adel Soleimani, Firoozeh Moghiminejad,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Integrated rural development planning is the result of a series of different developments in planning, economy, politics and sociology in the last decade, which has become necessary due to globalization and decentralization on a local or regional scale. This type of thinking mechanism planning It is based and problem-oriented and seeks to answer the three basic questions of what, why and how in a people-oriented and place-oriented framework and deals with this issue with integrated rationality. Planning issues and problems have emerged at the national level. The examination and evaluation of the ecosystem within the realm of global studies pertaining to integrated development planning hold significant importance, specifically in light of institutional pluralism, aimed at mitigating disparities in rural areas. Numerous insights can be gleaned from research outcomes and strategies in the realm of development and rural progress. Hence, the primary objective of the present study is to methodically scrutinize the knowledge network concerning integrated development planning by scrutinizing the co-occurrence network of terminologies and collaborative authorship within this domain, in order to uncover patterns of knowledge, origins, and their limitations.
Methods: This research is applied in terms of type, which uses the scientometric approach to review scientific documents. In the current research, the social network analysis method has been used to analyze and explain both vocabulary and authorship of related studies in the entire network. In the initial phase of the methodology, data was retrieved from the Scopus database, followed by stages of refining concepts, and ultimately, the conclusive data was scrutinized utilizing algorithms grounded in social network analysis through VOSviewer software.
Results: The findings revealed that among 93 scholarly works and 191 authors, countries like South Africa, England, and the United States exhibited the highest number of publications, with scholars such as Madziohendila, Van Niekerk, Asha, and Banda receiving notable references. Furthermore, the intellectual cluster associated with Chakwizera demonstrated the highest density within the network. Also, the results of this study showed that researches on integrated development planning have been carried out from different dimensions and in diverse and related ecosystems in such a way that it covers different levels and links from urban to rural spaces. Analysis of word co-occurrence also brought to light 6 distinct research clusters within the scope of integrated development planning studies, focusing on aspects like comprehensiveness, urban planning, local governance, participation, sustainable development, and spatial justice.
Conclusions: The insights garnered from scrutinizing the knowledge network and visualizing its structure in this study could potentially yield significant advancements in adopting a comprehensive, rational, and expert-driven approach to socio-political planning, thereby opening up new avenues for further study and implementation.
Dr. Mohsen Aghayari Hir, Dr. Hossein Asgharpur, Dr. Soheyla Bakhtar,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The present research was conducted with the aim of identifying and analyzing economic factors affecting the acceptance of organic agriculture in Tabriz County.
Methods: The population of this study consists of producers and consumers of Tabriz County. The community of producers in the County is composed of 28 person. Due to their limited number, they were studied in full. In the consumer community, the sample size was estimated to be 384 person, but to achieve better results, 391 questionnaires were completed. In order to analyze the data, structural equation modeling was used in Smart PLS software and one-sample t-tests and Friedman in SPSS software.
Results: The results of the measurement model indicate that the loads of the observed agents with their hidden variables have significant values, and the observed agents have measured their hidden variables well. Also, there is a significant structural relationship between price perception, providing support facilities, product distribution, product preparation method, product price, product features, product quality, and willingness to pay. The obtained values of T, the average and the upper and lower limits of the factors affecting the acceptance of organic agriculture from the producers' point of view, had higher values than the standard set. The results of Friedman's test showed that the price of the product has the highest importance and the provision of support facilities has the lowest importance.
Conclusions: Comparing and examining the views of two producer and consumer groups shows that the economic dimension has had a major effect on the adoption of organic agriculture. Also, factors such as having high prices for products, costs and prices offered for a specific brand, an appropriate marketing system, etc. are among the factors that have affected the economic aspect of adopting organic agriculture.
Mohammad Sadeq Zare, Nasrullah Moulaiheshjin, Mohammad Basit Qureshi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Rural entrepreneurship is a concept that has been examined from different perspectives and it is believed that it is necessary as an efficient strategy for the social development of the village. Women's entrepreneurship in the village is a multi-dimensional phenomenon and is influenced by various factors. In today's Iranian society, women have played a significant and expanding role in the field of business. The present study was conducted to explain the role of women entrepreneurs in the social development of the villages of Soumesara.
Methods: The research method is applied and based on library, documentary, and field studies. To analyze the data, SPSS software and integrated models (FARAS+FCOPRAS) and WASTPAS fuzzy model were used. The results of the research showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the social development of Soumesara villages and women entrepreneurs.
Results: Also, the findings of the research showed that the social participation index with a score of 71.44, improving the quality of life a score of 71.31, demographic transformation of the village with a score of 71.20, and education and awareness with a score of 15.1 71, strengthening communication and social trust with a score of 71.11, they have assigned the highest and lowest effectiveness of the role of women entrepreneurs in the villages of Soumesara. Also, the results of the research findings showed the central districts with a weight value of 3.891, Tolem district with a weight value of 3.775, and Mirza Kochuk district with a weight value of 3.678, respectively, have the highest and lowest amount of social development with an emphasis on the role of women. The entrepreneur is dedicated to himself.
Conclusions: Based on this, according to the results of the research, rural women entrepreneurs, as creative, innovative, and thoughtful forces in their field of activity, have been able to create a transformation in the social development of the rural areas of Soumesara and contribute to the dynamism of the villages of this county.
Zahra Soltani, Majid Goodarzi, Mohammad Rauf Fayazi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The Development of Creative Tourism in Rural Areas as one of the fundamental factors in sustainable development and economic growth of rural regions has gained considerable attention. This research investigates and analyzes the influential factors on the development of creative tourism in the rural district of Meyan Ab in the southern part of Shushtar County.
Methods: The research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive and analytical in terms of nature and method.To this end, a questionnaire with various dimensions (infrastructure, education, local participation, innovation and initiative, information and communication technology, and culture and indigenous identity) was designed based on theoretical foundations. Subsequently, it was distributed among the residents of the rural district using stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistical methods in SPSS and EXCEL software were then employed to analyze the data. Furthermore, through one-sample t-test in SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis in LISREL software, the status of creative tourism development indicators in Meyan Ab was evaluated.
Results: According to the results obtained, the rural district of Meyan Ab, in terms of creative rural tourism development indicators, has an average score of 2.88, indicating a low level of development. Confirmatory factor analysis results demonstrated that in the infrastructure section, the presence of recreational facilities and hospitality facilities with a factor loading of 0.88 had the highest correlation and influence, indicating an 88% correlation. In the next level, in the local participation section, the level of cooperation and participation of rural people in environmental issues, with a factor loading of 0.87, was found. Finally, the existence of opportunities and continuous educational programs for the local community, with a factor loading of 0.86, ranked third in terms of impact.
Conclusions: Therefore, it can be concluded that focusing on and developing these three aspects are the top priorities for improving and developing creative rural tourism in the rural district of Meyan Ab in the southern part of Shushtar County. This can assist managers and planners in making decisions regarding the development of creative rural tourism in Meyan Ab.
Asadullah Heidari, Samad Khabbaz Bavil,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: This research is based on the identification, investigation and stratification of the effective components in rural self-employment in East Azarbaijan province and seeks to answer the following questions and objectives: What are the important components of self-employment in the villages of East Azarbaijan province? Each of the identified rural self-employment components, At what level are they located? What is the pattern or model of the relationships of the self-employed components of the villagers? And finally, what are the effective policies and decisions for the development and increase of rural self-employment.
Methods: The methodology of this research is descriptive-analytical, which qualitatively used structural-interpretive modeling (ISM) technique to stratify and determine the relationships of influential self-employment components in villages. The statistical population of this research includes 34 qualified people from university professors and senior managers at the level of East Azarbaijan province, who are experts in rural self-employment. Based on Warfield's theory in structural-interpretive modeling and expertise criterion based on two indicators of experience and education level too, 13 members of the research sample were considered as experts.
Results: The findings of this model showed that four components: suitable infrastructure, facilitation of regulations and administrative processes, culture and social relations, individual and educational spirit, are the basic factors in the eleven components of
.the self-employment development of the villagers of East Azarbaijan province
Conclusions: Creating infrastructures and providing suitable facilities in villages, delegating authority to provinces and decentralization in village planning, revising and revising restrictive laws and regulations related to rural employment, activating specialized. desks for rural economy and employment, providing skill training to self-employed volunteers in villages from Among them are the results and practical suggestions of the research.
Soroush Sanaei Moghadam, Ali Akbar Anabestanei, Bijan Rahmanei, Farhad Azizpour,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of the present study is to survey the livelihood diversity status and its effects on increasing the resilience of the studied villages.
Methods: The present theoretical study is conducted with applied purposes using the descriptive-analytical method. The required data were collected through library and field (questionnaire and observation) methods and data analysis was done using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient, single sample t test and path analysis). The research statistical population is the resident households of 21 suburban villages of Dehdasht with 3538 households and using Cochran's formula 358 samples were randomly selected.
Results: The results indicate that, there is a direct and significant relationship between livelihood diversity and rural households' resilience. According to the obtained correlation coefficient (0.934) and the significance level of the test (0.000) it can be stated that the resilience of rural households to droughts is increased with promoting diversified livelihood. The results of path analysis also show that, coordination of institutions with direct impact of 0.108 has the least impact and saving with direct impact of 0.479 has the highest impact on the rural households' resilience in the studied area
Conclusions: Increasing livelihood diversity leads to an increase in the ability of households to deal with changes caused by climate change. Therefore, measures that lead to strengthening livelihood diversity and as a result the resilience of rural households should be among the priorities of rural development programs. Activities such as promoting diverse agricultural techniques, increasing access to insurance facilities, strengthening social capital, upgrading agricultural technologies and promoting optimal use of natural resources can be effective measures to increase livelihood diversity and improve the resilience of rural households.
Mr Arash Derakhshan Darabi, Dr. Yaser Mohammadi,
Volume 13, Issue 48 (9-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The current Research was conducted with the aim of Strategic Analysis of Rural Development Programs held by Basij Sazandegi Organization to formulate a superior strategic matrix.
Methods: The research followed the paradigm of mixed method (qualitative-quantitative) so that collecting data was done by interview and questionnaire tools in the qualitative and quantitative phases respectively. According to the purpose, the research statistical population consisted of two expert’s groups. In order to evaluate the environment of rural development programs, three groups of rural development organizations’ experts, experts from Basij Sazandegi Organization and rural informants (councils and local leaders), were surveyed. Each group consisted of 30 experts. Also, for developing the superior strategic matrix, 8 rural development experts were asked to rate importance of strategies. SWOT technique was used for environmental assessment and the superior strategic matrix was developed through hybrid TOPSIS-ANP method in Super Decisions software environment.
Results: The results of this study revealed that rural development programs exhibited strengths that surpassed their weaknesses, yet they were also confronted with threats. The superior strategic matrix further indicated that among the 10 strategies derived from environmental analysis, the strategy of "coordinating the Basij Sazandegi organization with other stakeholders of rural development in program formulation and reduction of redundancies" emerged as the foremost strategy. Subsequently, the strategies of "collaboration and regular meetings with local leaders for program implementation and evaluation of rural development initiatives" and "partnerships with associations and religious institutions to mobilize manpower and financial resources towards job creation projects" were ranked as the subsequent most important strategies.
Conclusions: In light of the research outcomes, it is recommended to expand the network of collaboration and cooperation with other rural development stakeholders and adhere to a comprehensive and targeted rural development model to enhance the effectiveness of constructive mobilization in RDPs of Basi.
Mitra Mohamadi, Fateh Habibi, Saman Ghaderi,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The experience of many developed countries highlights that tourism development is a fundamental driver of national growth and should be prioritized accordingly. This research aims to investigate the impact of tourism on sustainable rural livelihoods in Kurdistan Province by comparing two groups: tourism-oriented villages and non-tourism villages.
Method: This study adopts a quasi-experimental design, comparing data from tourism and non-tourism villages. A questionnaire was employed to gather the necessary information. Using Cochran's formula, the sample size was determined to be 350 households, consisting of 203 heads of households from tourism villages and 147 heads of households from non-tourism villages. Participants were selected randomly. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel software, with the reliability of the questionnaire confirmed by a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82.
Results:
1. Livelihood Conditions: The one-sample t-test revealed that the five livelihood capitals (human, social, physical, natural, and financial) in both groups of villages were below average and in poor condition.
2. Comparison of Capitals: An independent t-test showed that the average human and social capital and total investment were significantly higher in tourism villages compared to non-tourism villages.
3. Livelihood Strategies: A Friedman test identified the key livelihood activities in each group:
- Tourism Villages: Gardening. Agriculture, Local food sales, Handicraft sales, Home rentals, Sales of local dairy products, and Sales of local clothing.
- Non-Tourism Villages: Gardening, Agriculture, Local dairy product sales, Animal husbandry, and Labor.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a significant difference between tourism and non-tourism villages in terms of livelihood capitals: human, social, physical, natural, financial, and total. The average levels of human capital, social capital, and overall livelihood assets were higher in tourism villages. These results underscore the positive role of tourism in enhancing sustainable rural livelihoods, particularly by diversifying income sources and strengthening human and social capital. Prioritizing tourism development in rural areas can thus contribute to broader economic and social improvements.
Mojtaba Hakimi, Jamsid Einali, Hosein Farahani,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Mining is a critical environmental resource, with its primary and most significant impacts being economic. Subsequent effects arise later and are dependent on proper consideration and evaluation. When managed effectively, mining can contribute to the formation of value-added chains in other economic sectors and lay the foundation for achieving sustainable development goals. This research aims to examine the effects of mining exploitation on the economic indicators and population stability of rural areas in Boghdakandi district.
Methods: The research is applied in nature, employing a descriptive-analytical methodology. Data collection utilized library and field methods, including: Observation (general and individual), Interviews (structured) and Questionnaires (closed and Likert scale). The questionnaire's face validity was assessed by experts, and its reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.802. The study’s statistical population comprised the households of Boghdakandi district, which, according to the 2015 census, included 2,227 households. Using Cochran's formula, the required sample size was calculated as 314 households. Data analysis involved both descriptive statistics (mean, frequency distribution, and standard deviation) and inferential statistical tests (One-sample T-test, Pearson Correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis test).
Results: The research findings reveal a significant relationship between mining exploitation and the economic indicators of the studied villages. Key results include:
- Economic Indicators: Employment Index: Mean = 3.229; Income Index: Mean = 3.132; Natural Resources: Mean = 3.393; and Welfare: Mean = 3.431.
These values indicate a moderate impact of mining on economic indicators.
- Population Stability: Population Stability Index: Mean = -2.763 and Capital Index: Mean = -2.742.
These indices are below average, suggesting that mining has had adverse effects on population stability.
Statistical yearbooks (2006–2016) highlight a declining population trend in all studied villages, except Saeed Kandi, which experienced a growth rate of 0.9%.
Conclusion: The study concludes that while mining exploitation in Boghdakandi district has moderately improved certain economic indicators (employment, income, natural resources, and welfare), it has had negative impacts on population stability and capital levels. The population decline observed across most villages underscores the inability of mining activities to positively influence long-term population stability. This suggests that while mining can contribute to economic growth in the short term, its sustainability requires more strategic management to balance economic benefits with social and demographic stability.
Zeynab Aeeni, Khabat Nesaei, , Atefeh Ahmadi Dehrashid,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (11-2024)
Abstract
Objective: In recent years, rural digital hubs have emerged as platforms capable of fostering the long-term sustainable development of villages by leveraging digital capabilities. However, in Iran, the lack of awareness about these centers has hindered their full potential from being realized.
Methods: This study aims to identify the factors and conditions influencing the adoption of digital innovation hubs in rural areas. To achieve this, a qualitative approach was employed, specifically using the grounded theory research strategy, to develop a framework for understanding the factors affecting the adoption of rural digital hubs. The study focuses on villages in Kurdistan Province. Data were collected through interviews with academic experts, government officials, and activists from non-governmental organizations, and analyzed using MAXQDA software.
Results: The findings are presented across the five dimensions of grounded theory. The study identifies:
- Causal conditions: "Economic and socio-cultural shortcomings."
- Contextual conditions: "Infrastructure, village structural characteristics, and demographic composition."
- Intervening conditions: "Lack of policy integration, inefficient rural management, and speculative economic practices."
- Strategies: "Identification of capacities, functions of digital hub centers, and pre-training initiatives."
- Outcomes: "Cultural-social development, economic development, and enhanced political acumen."
Conclusion: By identifying the conditions influencing the adoption of these digital platforms, this study provides a foundation for designing and implementing effective policies to unlock the potential of rural digital hubs.
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.
Farhad Javan, Mostafa Mohammadi,
Volume 13, Issue 50 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objective: The most important objective of this research analyses the paradigmatic structure of the emerging tourism enterprises in small areas of Gilan in rural settings.
Methods: The present study, in terms of its objective, is applied, with an interpretive and analytical nature, and in terms of its methodology, it falls into the category of qualitative research. For data analysis, grounded theory and the FBWM (Fuzzy Best-Worst Method) model were employed. Data collection was carried out through both documentary and library studies, as well as interviews and questionnaires. The statistical population includes experts and elites in the field of tourism studies and rural tourism entrepreneurs in the targeted villages. A purposive sampling method (until saturation of results) was used, resulting in a final sample size of 35 participants.
Results: Categories causing rural residents' awareness of tourism jobs, banking credits, and rural interaction networks were found. Categories included informing rural residents, corruption and discrimination mitigation, integrated management, and efficient planning, which were found to be intervening structures. Providing infrastructure in villages, human capital development, reducing bureaucracy, and having flexible regulations were identified as contextual structures. Among the causal structures, the awareness hindering tourism jobs to rural residents had the highest weight (0.321) followed by the integrated management among the intervening structures, also received the highest weight (0.314). Among context structures, providing infrastructure on villages served the highest weight (0.320). In addition, four strategies were developed: meetings among the specialists, experts, and managers from organizations relating tourism with mobilization of small business in villages; an educational workshop held for rural residents to improve businesses and interaction with tourists; studies to research needs and infrastructures of tourism services in Gilan villages with a systematic approach; and support for active tourism businesses. As an outcome of this, three were identified: sustainable tourism in their economic, social, physical, and environmental dimensions in villages; change the direction of rural residents towards rural employment with a focus on tourism; and building a business model of tourism based on lived experiences of rural residents in Gilan.
Conclusions: It is evident that tourism businesses in rural areas have become a global phenomenon entailing multiple factors for responding their very needs to the tourists. Therefore, now it is necessary to understand the way small tourism businesses are being developed, for it deals with resolving such issues as increasing disparity, population explosion, and burgeoning unemployment in the rural setting of Gilan.
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.
Mohsen Aghayari Hir, Sadra Karimzadeh, Afshin Yeganeh,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to model the factors affecting the sustainability of economic development in the villages of Malekan County.
Methods: The statistical population included experts, specialists, and rural households in the County. In the first stage, 28 professionals evaluated 56 research propositions based on their importance. In the second stage, 481 people from selected villages responded to 41 items related to rural economic sustainability. The data were analyzed using Q-factor analysis in SPSS and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in SMART PLS software.
Results: The results of the measurement model indicated that the factor loadings of the observed variables were significant and effectively measured their corresponding latent variables. The structural model results revealed that the "economic stability of Malekan County’s villages" had a high predictive power, with an index value exceeding the standard threshold of 0.35, indicating a "strong" effect. Other factors namely, "vulnerability, productivity and economic diversity," "employment and economic infrastructure," and "access to economic and production resources" each scored above 0.15, showing a "moderate" predictive impact on the model's endogenous latent variables.
Conclusions: The findings identified three core factors influencing the sustainability of rural economic development: 1. vulnerability, productivity, and economic diversity (sustainability and economic welfare); 2. employment and economic infrastructure (justice and economic welfare); and 3. access to economic and production resources (economic welfare). Final comparisons and validation between qualitative and quantitative approaches confirmed that the first factor economic vulnerability (productivity and diversity) was the most influential, with consensus from both experts and local community members.
Alireza Jafari, Hemmatollah Pirdashti, Fatemeh Razzaghi Borkhani, Zahra Saber,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Abstract
Objective: In the context of rural and agricultural development, designing an environmentally sustainable system with economic and social justification and a future-oriented perspective is essential. This study aims to develop integrated crop management (ICM) strategies for rice farms in Mazandaran Province.
Methods: Using theoretical foundations and analytical studies, the four SWOT components—strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—were identified. The statistical population consisted of specialists and experts with academic backgrounds and practical experience in sustainable rice cultivation and agricultural extension (18 individuals), along with managers from relevant organizations such as the Agricultural Jihad Organization of Mazandaran Province (20 individuals), selected through purposive sampling. Data analysis was conducted using the SWOT technique in Microsoft Excel.
Results: The internal and external evaluations reveal that the system's strengths and opportunities outweigh its weaknesses and threats. The weighted scores indicate the predominance of favorable over risky conditions. The strategic priority lies in the SO (Strength-Opportunity) or "maximum-maximum" area (approximately 36%). Following this are the WO (Weakness-Opportunity), ST (Strength-Threat), and WT (Weakness-Threat) strategies, accounting for approximately 25%, 23%, and 16% of the total strategies, respectively.
Conclusions: Based on the strategic analysis, key strategies for ICM development include enhancing farmer empowerment and participation through the FFS/IPM approach, managing production risks via insurance, establishing healthy crop production cooperatives, and implementing collective branding within the rice value chain. Emphasizing collaboration among key stakeholders is vital. The implementation of these strategies can significantly contribute to the adoption of ICM and the advancement of sustainable agricultural development.
Firooz Nazeri, Seyed Ramin Ghafari, Amir Gandomkar, Hamid Saberi,
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.