Analysis of barriers to entrepreneurship development in deprived areas using Delphi and ANP methods

 Entrepreneurship plays an important role in the economic growth of countries and job opportunities. The purpose of this study is to analyze the barriers to entrepreneurship development in deprived areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province using Delphi and ANP methods.

 The present research is applied research in terms of purpose and survey-descriptive in terms of nature. The statistical population are the experts of Imam-Khomeini Relief Foundation and entrepreneurs of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Data collection was done in the summer of 2021. The data collection tool is a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire. First, the criteria and sub-criteria related to barriers to entrepreneurship development in deprived areas were identified, and then, using the Delphi method, screening and approval of the identified criteria and sub-criteria were performed. Then, using the ANP method in Super Decision software, the approved criteria and sub-criteria were prioritized.

 The existence of challenges in rural settlements and disadvantaged areas (poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, low welfare, etc.), people's risk aversion and conservatism, difficult access to suitable facilities and financial credits, low teamwork spirit, lack of necessary capital for entrepreneurship, lack of acceptance of promoters' ideas and opinions, low participation of women, were determined as the most important obstacles to entrepreneurship in deprived areas.

 The findings indicate the important role of policy makers in removing the entrepreneurial obstacles through policy making to promote entrepreneurial culture, develop entrepreneurial actions, also review banking, insurance, tax, customs, labor and trade laws, etc. according to requirements of time.