structural equation modeling

Women, constituting half of society's population, have a direct impact on societal development. Women's employment serves as a key indicator of social development, with a higher level of women's active participation in social affairs correlating with increased development in a country. Rural women, particularly in Iran, play a crucial role in the country's development, contributing to over half of the food production in rural areas. Achieving rural development goals necessitates an understanding of the current rural community's situation, with a focus on marginalized groups within it. Rural women, often overlooked in rural development programs due to economic, social, and cultural factors, are a group that requires more attention from planners and stakeholders in rural development, especially in third-world countries like Iran.

This study utilized a descriptive-analytical research approach, collecting data through a questionnaire and employing structural equation modeling. The statistical population comprised rural women aged 15 to 65 in Shushtar Township, with a sample size of 365 individuals selected through simple random sampling. The questionnaire, consisting of 47 questions on a five-point Likert scale, was designed based on key indicators dentified through theoretical studies and expert interviews. The questionnaire's validity and reliability were confirmed, and data collection was conducted in coordination with rural municipalities.

The research findings indicated that various factors significantly influenced rural women's employment, with institutional factors exerting the most substantial impact. Factors such as cultural, educational, social  and environmental aspects also played significant roles in promoting rural women's employment.

To enhance rural women's employment, focusing on cultural, institutional, social, environmental, and educational factors is essential. By addressing these factors and implementing targeted interventions, the development of rural women's employment can be effectively promoted

Rural production cooperatives play an important role in reducing rural poverty by increasing production efficiency and providing services that governments are unable to provide for poor people. This research aimed to investigate the 12 components of the Legatum Index improving the welfare of rural households that are members and non-members of rural production cooperatives in Miandoab Township.

The present research was conducted using a survey and descriptive-correlational methodology. The size of the target population includes 17493 rural households, members and non-members of rural production cooperatives, and 377 households were randomly selected. Questionnaire was the main tool for data collecting. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of agricultural extension and education specialists at Tarbiat Modares University and its reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. To investigate the components of improving the welfare of rural households and checking the goodness of fit index, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software.

The results showed that there is a significant difference between member and non-member rural households in terms of welfare component status. So in the components of safety and security; individual freedom; governance; social capital; investment environment; entrepreneurial conditions; market access and infrastructure; economic quality; living conditions; sanitation and health; and education; there was a significant difference between member and non-member households, and only in the natural environment component, no significant difference was seen.

Rural production cooperatives played an effective role in improving the welfare of rural households in Miandoab City, and its average was calculated as 3.56; which shows the positive effect of cooperatives in improving the overall welfare of rural households. In this regard, it is suggested to provide entrepreneurship training to increase agricultural production, diversify the rural economy, and create the necessary foundation for increasing wealth.

In today's era, characterized by fluctuating job markets and dynamic business environments, personal attributes such as career adaptability and proactive personality will increasingly influence the post-graduation career trajectory of students. In this context, the research literature shows that career adaptability and proactive personality play an undeniable role in the formation of students' entrepreneurial intention, which is considered an important prerequisite for starting a business. Theoretical evidence suggests that their adaptability resources influence entrepreneurial intention among students. Moreover, the development of career adaptability is intricately linked to a proactive personality, which enables individuals to discern opportunities and devise apt solutions amid uncertain environments, as posited by the Career Construction Theory. In this context, empirical exploration into the nexus of a proactive personality, career adaptability, and entrepreneurial intention remains scarce. Hence, this study aimed to examine the mediating influence of career adaptability between proactive personality and entrepreneurial intention among agricultural students. By fulfilling this research objective, not only does this study contribute to the depth of literature on entrepreneurial intention, but it also sheds light on the significance of fostering career adaptability among agricultural students.

The research adopted a quantitative approach, employing survey methodology and a cross-sectional time frame for data collection and correlational-causal data processing for analysis. The statistical population comprised fourth-year undergraduate agricultural students enrolled in public universities across Iran. Employing the inverse square root method, a sample of 384 students was selected utilizing a multi-stage sampling technique, wherein two universities were randomly chosen from each of the five regions under the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, amounting to a total of ten universities. Data were gathered from students enrolled in the selected universities. The research utilized questionnaires assessing entrepreneurial intention (6 items), proactive personality (3 items), and career adaptability (12 items), designed on a five-point Likert scale within the native Porsline system and distributed online. The validity of the research instruments was ensured through reviews and confirmation by a panel of agricultural education experts. Additionally, reliability was established via a pilot study and calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α > 0.7). The measurement model's validity was affirmed through factor loading calculations and assessments of convergent validity, discriminant validity, and reliability, utilizing Cronbach's alpha coefficient and composite reliability (α and CR > 0.7; AVE > 0.5; HTMT < 0.85). Structural equation modeling, employing the partial least squares approach, was employed for data analysis. The SmartPLS4 software facilitated the data analysis process.

The research findings empirically validated the mediating role of career adaptability in the relationship between proactive personality and entrepreneurial intention among agricultural students (β = 0.271, t = 5.174, p = 0.001). Notably, the results also indicate a direct influence of proactive personality on the entrepreneurial intention of the surveyed students (β = 0.291, t = 4.077, p = 0.001). Moreover, this positive effect is evident in both pathways: the direct relationship between proactive personality and entrepreneurial intention and the relationship mediated by career adaptability. Consequently, the career adaptability variable assumes a complementary mediating role in the relationship between proactive personality and entrepreneurial intention among agricultural students. This study highlights the significance of proactive personality and career adaptability as pivotal antecedents shaping the entrepreneurial intention of agricultural students. Thus, agricultural students with a proactive disposition can enhance their entrepreneurial intention by fostering their career adaptability. Furthermore, the research findings highlight that both direct and indirect effects exhibit comparable strength, collectively explicating 43.5% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention among agricultural students. Hence, enhancing students' career adaptability is indispensable for fostering entrepreneurial intention within agricultural universities.

The findings demonstrate that the career adaptability of agricultural students, serving as a psychological resource, significantly influences the development of their entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, a proactive personality trait shapes career adaptability. Thus, this research emphasizes that the formation of entrepreneurial intention among agricultural students relies on personal resources, encompassing both career adaptability and proactive personality. Consequently, agricultural higher education institutions aspiring to cultivate entrepreneurial intentions among their students should prioritize initiatives aimed at enhancing career adaptability. These efforts could include organizing educational workshops and inviting successful entrepreneurs. Similarly, fostering proactive personalities can be achieved through empowerment programs and related activities. In essence, the insights collected from this study can inform the design of targeted programs geared toward instilling entrepreneurial intentions among agricultural students. To foster entrepreneurial intention among agricultural students, agricultural higher education institutions are advised to enhance students' career adaptability by engaging entrepreneurs from the agricultural sector and organizing diverse educational workshops, including those focusing on soft skills development. Moreover, initiatives aimed at cultivating a proactive personality among students, such as psychological empowerment programs, can further facilitate the enhancement of their career adaptability. By implementing these strategies, institutions can effectively prepare agricultural students to embark on entrepreneurial endeavors in the agricultural domain.

The following research aims to provide a structural model for the development of essential soft skills in agricultural students. In this regard, a mixed approach (qualitative-quantitative) was used. In the qualitative part of the research, the data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 Participants (faculty members of agricultural majors) who are expert in the subject of research. Participants were selected using purposeful and snowball sampling methods. In qualitative phase, "grounded theory strategy" was used to design the initial model of the research. In the quantitative part of the research, after confirming the reliability and validity of the instrument, data were collected from 384 of the senior students of agricultural majors. In order to evaluate the research model, Structural equation modeling with partial least squares approach was used. The results of the research confirmed the research model. Based on this model, the factors affecting on essential soft skills and essential soft skills consequences for agricultural students were clarified.

The main purpose of this study was to explain the factors affecting the adoption and development of durum wheat cultivation in rural areas of five provinces of Fars, Khuzestan, Kerman, Ilam and Tehran in Iran using structural equation model. The required data were collrcted through a questionnaire, the reliability of which was determined by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and composite reliability index (CR); and the extracted mean variance index (AVE) was used to determine the convergent validity of the components. The statistical population of the study included all wheat farmers in the mentioned provinces. Statistical sample size was determined as 274 people using Krejcie and Morgan sample size table and statistical samples were selected using multi-stage sampling method with proportional assignment. The results indicated that the studid indices were desirable. Data analysis was performed in a structural equation modeling method using LISREL8.5 and SPSS22. The study results confirmed the positive and significant effect between the explanatory components affecting the willingness to adopt durum wheat cultivation; in addition, the structural equation model predicted, in total, 47 percent of the variable variations in the tendency to adopt durum wheat cultivation. Finally, the results of this study are expected to be useful in developing strategies for extension and development of durum wheat cultivation. In addition, this research can be useful for breeders to breed varieties appropriate to the wheat farmers` conditions and needs.

Present study aimed at designing a model for the technical development of greenhouses and analyzing its influencing factors through the survey of 1300 greenhouse owners in Pakdasht county. Based on the Cochran's formula, the sample size was estimated to be 150. To increase the accuracy of access to respondents, stratified random sampling technique with proportional assignment was employed. The face validity of researcher-developed questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts. Cronbach's alpha coefficient values for the variables ranged from 0.70 to 0.93, indicating acceptable reliability for the instrument. Partial least squares structural equation modeling using SmartPLS2 was used to validate the designed model. The results showed that the two factors of human capital and access to technical infrastructure were the most effective factors in the technical development process of greenhouses. The three variables market access, investment-credit, and cost-benefit in light of government support have been able to affect the level of technical development of greenhouses by improving the level of access to technical infrastructure. Educational-extensional programs and government support have also led to an increase in the level of human capital and, indirectly resulted in the technical development of greenhouses. Generally, the independent variables could account for 42 percent of the variance of greenhouses' technical development. Finally, it can be concluded that the development of technical infrastructure, human capital, market access, investment, extension programs, and appropriate government policies can lead to the technical development of the greenhouse.

Creating employment and improving entrepreneurial space processes in rural areas are one of the essentials of rural development program. This study aimed at providing a model for improving rural entrepreneurship development in Shazand County of Markazi province of Iran. The statistical population of the study included 900 rural entrepreneurs in the county. Random sampling method was used to select subjects for the study. According to the Krejcie-Morgan table, a sample of 265 rural entrepreneurs was selected for the survey. The required data were collected through a structured questionnaire, the validity of which was confirmed by university professors and entrepreneurship experts and its reliability was performed by pre-test. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the variables and research structures ranged from 0.71 to 0.918. The relationships between the items and structures were analyzed using SPSS22 and Smart PLS3 statistical software. Then, the relations between educational, economic and institutional factors and the rural entrepreneurship development were investigated in a structural equation method. The results showed that the GOF criterion was 0.389, indicating that the model for improvement of rural entrepreneurship development was suitable. According to the model, respectively, the institutional factor over the economic factor and the educational factor over the institutional factor had the highest factor loadings; in other words, for the development of rural entrepreneurship, the paths indirectly affecting the entrepreneurship development should be considered. The results also showed that all three educational, economic and institutional factors affected the entrepreneurship development, but the economic factor could be considered as one with the most direct impact on the rural entrepreneurship development.

One of the important indicators in urban planning is the attention to the quality of life of the citizens. Because, growth and improvement of the quality of life affect other dimensions of development in the cities and villages and it paves the way for development and progress. Assessing the residents' satisfaction with the living environment can help assess the policies, rankings of places, and formulate strategies for urban and rural planning and management. Present research studied the satisfaction of residents of Mohammad Abad, Ali-Abad, and Yazdel villages in Aran-Bidgol district. The sample size of the study was 291 villagers. The main data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire and the statistical analyses and structural equation modeling have been done using AMOS and SPSS software. A single-sample T test was used to analyze the data and determine the status of quality of life indicators. T-test results showed that the social, economic quality, and physical-environmental and service-related indicators are at un-desirable, semi-desirable, and desirable levels, respectively. Structural equation modeling was also used to assess the components of quality of life. The results of the second-order confirmatory factor analysis indicated that paying attention to the social indicator in the studied villages might increase the life quality, economic, physical, service, and environmental indices by 0.87%, 0.82%, 0.77%, 0.26%, and 0.23%, respectively.

Urban agriculture is a method for reducing vulnerability of the world's urban population in the face of ecological changes. The most important functions of urban agriculture are including energy management and reduction of product transfer, urban waste management, improvement in the quality of soil and water and cities air, improvement in the quality of food and food security, managing unexpected situations and dilemmas, and finally improving the status of citizenship and appearing desirable behaviors of citizenship. The aim of this study was to determine the capacities of urban agriculture from the perspective of agricultural students of Tabriz University. This study was applied and descriptive research in terms of data collection. The population of the study consisted 845 students. The sample (n=148) was selected using systematic random sampling method by Cochran's formula. For examining the reliability of the questionnaire a pre-test was conducted. The values of Cronbach's alpha coefficient for different concepts of the questionnaire varied between 0.81 – 0.92. The data was analyzed using SPSS 22 and Smart PLS software. Results showed that the greatest loading factor (0.898) and T statistics (39.441) are related to the urban agriculture capacity in using surface water resources to feed underground water reservoir.

Agricultural Land Conversion (ALC) is one of the main challenges of humankind in 21 century which is very important because of its direct relations with the other issues include economic, social and environmental aspects. On the one hand, the trend of such changes is influenced by many intertwined and different causes and on the other hand, consequences have led to challenges toward human life. The problem becomes more acute if we know that the per capita of arable land in the world, from 1970 to 2009, has declined 1.46 percent. This decrease for Iran has been about 2.054 percent. Therefore, determining the causes and effects of these changes and analyzing their relationships are very important and it could help policymakers, planners and decision-makers. This is the main object of this study. Structural equation modeling and multiple indicator–multiple cause (MIMIC) models were used as analytical methods. The study group consisted of experts and professionals of agricultural land use. Questionnaire was data collection equipment. The results showed that, the causes of agricultural land use changes could be classified in five (economic, social, environmental, technical and political) and its effects in three (economic, social, environmental) groups. Also, the causes and effects have a significant correlation with each other; they affect each other in both direct and indirect ways. According to experts view, the most effective cause and effect of ALC have been economic and social, respectively.Moreover, in the causes side, technical causes have been the highest average correlation with the other factors, but, in the effect's side, social effects have been the highest average correlation with the other causes and effects.

The main purpose of this descriptive correlational research was to analyze the impact of social capital in developing a shared vision for agricultural entrepreneurship improvement. The population included 152 members of cooperatives in Kermanshah Township. A random sampling method was used to select 110 respondents. The main instrument was a questionnaire that Panel of expert method was used to verify its content and face validity. AMOS software was used to test the fitness of data in structural equation modeling. Multivariate Analysis of Variance was utilized to identify the effect of shared vision on social capital. The findings confirmed the significant relationship between shared vision and social capital indicators (including trust, norms, and networks) in development of agricultural entrepreneurship.

Application of information and communication technology (ICT) in educational and academic systems is an active educational program that draw new education affecting in the presence of the third Millennium, but prior to its application, it must have tried to identify the factors affecting the acceptance and utilize of this phenomenon. This study was designed to investigate factors affecting acceptance of ICT technology by use the Davis's Technology Acceptance Model and develop it with Survey method and questionnaire was used in this study as instrument. Research population included all agricultural graduate students of Khozestan Ramin Agricultural and Neutral Resource University (N=210) that by using Patten (2002) sampling table, 136 person of them were selected and the method of selection was random simple sampling. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via LISREL software was used to evaluate validity and reliability of the research questionnaire, and also to examine goodness of the latent variables and to test research hypothesizes. The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirm both "the validity and reliability" of the questionnaire and "the goodness of the latent variables". The results of structural equation modeling (SEM), showed that most of the research hypotheses were confirmed and the “decision to use” construct has most effect on use of IT is real (t=6.67, γ=0.69) And 48 percent of the variance change explained by these construct. On the other hand, perceived of usefulness of technology, self-efficacy, subjective norm, perceived ease of use of ICT and the importance of attitude towards technology construct as an importance of affecting technology utilize were mentioned. The results of this study can be used to improve graduate students’ utilize skill from information and communication technology in the University.

The main purpose of this study was to identify and analysis of entrepreneurial strategies affecting the performance of agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The statistical population included 1250 agricultural entrepreneurs in the SMEs in Fars province; by utilizing Cochrane’s formula 138 people were randomly selected. Descriptive and correlation results obtained from processing data by LISREL and SPSS software and also exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis methods, path analysis and structural equation models were studied. Result showed significant correlations between the components of SMEs successful performance and entrepreneurial strategies are there. On the other hand, based on our results, entrepreneurial strategies awareness, entrepreneurial strategies making and SMEs performance have shown positive and significant direct and indirect impacts on the successful performance of agricultural SMEs. These three factors explained 66.84 percent of the total variance. Finally, by applying structural equation modeling, the proposed model of successful performance of agricultural SMEs with appropriate path coefficients has been fitted.