Rural Development Strategies

Abstract Rural development is a multidimensional and dynamic process, the success of which depends on the extent of social interactions among actors. Recognizing the position and role of key actors can lead to the design of effective policies for sustainable development. The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the position of key actors influential in the development of rural communities using the Social Network Analysis (SNA) method. This research was conducted in 2024 in three villages—Islamabad-e Bala, Habib Ishan, and Vahdat-e Eslami—under the jurisdiction of Aqqala County. The statistical population included 120 members of rural development and reconstruction centers, selected through a census method. Data were collected using a social network relationship analysis questionnaire and analyzed using UCINET software. The results indicated that the structural characteristics of trust and participation networks varied across the villages studied. In Islamabad-e Bala, the density of the trust and collaboration networks was 63.7% and 63.2%, respectively, indicating strong social cohesion and extensive interactions. In Habib Ishan, the trust network density was estimated at 43.3% and the collaboration network at 31.9%, reflecting a more prominent role of trust ties compared to collaboration. In Vahdat-e Eslami, the trust (38.3%) and collaboration (32.9%) network densities and the transitivity of both networks were below 25%, indicating weak network cohesion. Examination of network centrality revealed that Islamabad-e Bala had higher in-degree centrality and greater dispersion compared to out-degree centrality. In Habib Ishan, the high dispersion of out-degree centrality in the trust network indicated an unequal distribution of trust. In Vahdat-e Eslami, the low median centrality values reflected weaker social cohesion. From the perspective of occupational groups, the “Other Occupations” group in Islamabad-e Bala’s trust and collaboration networks (median in-degree centrality 82% and out-degree centrality 56%), farmers in Habib Ishan’s trust network played a more central role in the social networks. Additionally, housewives in Vahdat-e Eslami (out-degree centrality 46.15%) had the greatest role in expanding collaboration. Finally, it is recommended that social capital enhancement programs be designed with a focus on key actors in each occupational group to improve the structure of trust and collaboration in low-cohesion villages.

Abstract This research was conducted in order to sociologically explain the role of Omid Entrepreneurship Funds in the development of small businesses. The research method was mixed, in which thematic analysis method was used in the qualitative part and confirmatory factor analysis was used in the quantitative part. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect information, and composite reliability was used for reliability and validity in the qualitative part, and convergent and divergent validity were used in the quantitative part. In the quantitative part, the statistical population includes 416 small rural businesses that have used the services of Omid Entrepreneurship Funds in 2023. The sample size in the qualitative section includes 18 managers; first, 6 managers of Omid Entrepreneurial Funds and then 12 managers of small business companies in the villages of Gilan province were interviewed using the principle of theoretical saturation, which finally led the researcher to a theoretical model with 6 main sociological components. Hypotheses were tested using SPSS software. Findings showed that the first hypothesis about the group of managers had a significance level of 0.001, that the satisfaction of managers was not significant. Other hypotheses about the two groups (fund managers and company managers) had a significance level of less than 0.05, i.e. (0.000). As a result, the mean difference test method was used to rank the components, and the components of Social Security with a value of 30.173 ranked first, Social Participation with a value of 28.50 ranked second, Social Capital with a value of 28.18 ranked third, Social Justice with a value of 25.34 ranked fourth, Social Satisfaction with a value of 20.84 ranked fifth, and Social Solidarity with a value of 16.34 ranked sixth. According to the findings of this research, it is recommended that the managers of the funds should consider giving loans to neglected people when paying loans for setting up rural businesses in Gilan province, which will lead to the development of justice for the villagers. And finally, in the Omid Entrepreneurship Funds of Gilan province, experts should be used to pay loans to applicants.

Abstract Cooperatives by strengthening social capital play an important role in improving the performance of social, cultural and the environmental institutions and improve the effectiveness of their role. The aim of this study was to compare social capital of active and inactive agricultural production cooperatives in Ardabil County of Iran. Survey research method was used in this study. All members of agricultural production cooperatives consisted the statistical population of the study (N= 2009). Using stratified random sampling method, a sample consisting 180 members of both groups of the cooperatives was selected for data collection. A researchers made questionnaire including four dimensions of social capital and demographic characteristics was used as instrument of the study. The instrument was validated by a panel of experts consisting faculty members and bureau of cooperative. Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed high reliability of the instrument (α= 0.720-0.938). Stratified random sampling was used. Based on the results, significant difference was found between active and inactive cooperatives in relation to all components of social capital and members of active cooperatives showed higher level of social capital than their counterparts in inactive co-ops. The status of most components of social capital in active cooperatives was in high-level and medium level was identified in inactive cooperatives. Based on the variables of gender, marital status, education levels and years of membership, significant difference was found between members of active co-ops.

Abstract Rural settlements have changed over time in different aspects. These changes can improve livability and quality of life in the settlements. In recent decades, one of the changes that the pre-urban villages have faced is that they were integrated into cities by the physical development of cities. This integration results in significant changes in various aspects of life and it can be useful in improving or reduction of viability of villages. The purpose of this research is the role analysis of social capital on the livability of integrated villages in the city of Miandoab. The research method used in this study was descriptive – analytical. Data collection tools were library research and field survey (observation, interviews and questionnaires). Multiple regression and geographically weighted regression were used for data analysis. The results show that in the Miandoab city, the villages that were closer to the city and had a better position relative to other cities in the region in terms of communications and potential for accepting immigrants and had a negative social capital coefficient. The low level of social capital in these villages has caused a reduction of their viability.

Abstract The goal of this study is to investigate farmers’ intentions and behavior regarding water conservation in the Aleshtar County based on social capital. The statistical population in this study consisted of 6000 farmers living in the Aleshtar county A sample of 360 farmers were selected from this population based on Krejcie and Morgan’s Table. Sampling was done by using the stratified random sampling method. Regression analysis of social factors indicated that trust in public institutions, external communication and value of life are the most important factors to predict the intention for agricultural water conservation. The results revealed that these variables on the whole could predict 40 % of the variations in intentions for agricultural water conservation. Furthermore, tolerance of variation and external communications were significantly useful to predict farmers’ water conservation behavior as well. Totally, if these variables are used, we can predict 41% of variations in farmers’ water conservational behavior. Finally, based on the research results, suggestions for better use of water by farmers have been provided.