فصلنامه پژوهشهای روستایی
سال دهم شماره 3 (پیاپی 39، پاییز 1398)

Paying attention to the quality of the environment and its related concerns are the main attributes of contemporary modern life, especially in rural areas. The realization of this type of quality in rural areas also requires compliance with the architecture of environment quality in rural planning. In this regard, determining priorities and ranking the aspects of this architecture (from the perspective of people and local experts) is important in the process of rural planning. The research is based on two central questions of what is the architecture of environment quality. And which one is the priority of planning? Therefore, the village of Shahriyar, in the Falard of Lordegan (with 2342 inhabitants), was selected to answer the questions and drawing a perspective on the architecture of environmental quality. So far, a number of executive plans in the form of rural planning have been implemented in this village. A total number of 6 workgroups with 36 participants were selected through purposeful sampling. In this research, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect and analyze data and answer the questions. Based on local people and experts, 24 indicators in the architecture of environmental quality in rural planning were identified, in which 11 indicators were related to principles, seven indicators were in the field of framework and, six in the field of process. Indicators of each index were determined and grouped according to the Likert scale from very low to very high. The results showed that principles, processes, and frameworks are ranked first to third, respectively, in the architecture of environment quality in rural planning.

This paper takes up the qanat of Hassan Abad and its special peculiarities which made it eligible to be nominated as UNESCO World Heritage in 2015. Hasan Abad originates from Ebrahim Abad valley near the town of Mehriz and travels 40 kilometers to Yazd. The water of this qanat is shared out between the town of Mehriz, the village of Dehno and Yazd (district of Hasan Abad). One of the most important properties of this qanat is its territorial cooperation which is resulted from a lax territorial behavior caused by the qanat’s dynamics. Dormant territorial behavior can pave the way for a high sense of cooperation and social capital, which are all associated with the peculiarities of the qanat. In the region, the social foundation which has been formed and evolved around the water resources management could have increased the sense of cooperation. Through the research method of grounded theory, this paper tries to answer the question of how a water current like the qanat of Hasan Abad can pave the way for such social convergence and cooperation between three beneficiary territories.

The main objective of this research is to prioritize investment in the food processing industry in Hamedan and compare the results in two quantitative and qualitative approaches using engineering economics and Delphi. This research is practical in terms of purpose and is non-experimental in terms of data collection. In the present study, valuable themes were found through a Delphi method, and then they were processed from the point of view of experts. Necessary estimates were done using the Engineering-Economic approach (such as fixed investment costs, production costs, depreciation, assets, etc.). The engineering-economic analysis was done by the net present worth (NPW), the rate of return (ROR), and the cost of creating each job. According to the results of the Delphi method, industries related to garlic and potato crops were priorities. Then industries related to pickles production, canned, and concentrated fruits were the next priorities. According to research findings, concerning the standard rate of return (ROR) on investment, the pickles production plan is the first priority. Raisin and potato powder productions situated in the second and third preferences. According to the net present value of investment, forage and animal feed plan, potato powder, and garlic powder production were ranked as first to third, respectively. According to the results of the Delphi method, industries related to products such as garlic and potatoes were given the first priority, followed by picking, canning, and compote industries. Based on the research findings and taking the Capital Return Rate (ROR) criterion into account, the first priority is the picking plan, and raisin production and potato powder production are the next ranks. Based on the cost-of-job creation index, the priority plan for pickling production and the agricultural compost production plan were given the tenth priority.

The challenges and disadvantages of distribution channels diminish the effectiveness and efficiency of distribution channels, which affects the profits for distributors, manufacturers, and reduces customer satisfaction. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the problems of the distribution and marketing of these products. This study was conducted using a qualitative research method and a semi-structured interview to analyze the main research problems. It is a case study, and its statistical population consists of the managers of the Organization of Fruit and Vegetable Fields and several managers of transportation and horticultural products distribution companies in Tehran. The sample consists of 18 managers, selected using the snowballing method. Data was collected via a semi-structured interview. The results showed the problems of distribution and marketing channels are categorized into two categories of direct and indirect. Direct factors are including transportation, warehousing, maintenance, and distribution. Indirect factors are including imports, traditional agriculture, and enforcement policies. The results also showed that unconditional mediators, lack of a formal and regulated distribution system, and worn and inefficient transportation systems are significant problems of horticultural product distribution channels.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of dairy products supply chain in rural areas of Kermanshah country. The statistical population of the study is about 638 people and consists of three groups, including the employees of Bisotun Milk Factory, sellers of dairy products, and dairy farms in Kermanshah. Based on the Krejcie & Morgan (1970) table, the sample population is calculated at about 240 people. Data collection is carried out by a researcher-made questionnaire. Three experts from the department of rural development of Ilam University verified the validity of the questionnaire, and its reliability is determined to be o.847 using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using the F test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation coefficient, and regression using SPSS 20 software. The results of the research indicate that variables of information flow, coordination among a network's members, marketing and sales, customer satisfaction, and transportation are in good condition. Based on the results of the regression and F test, variables of information flow and coordination, marketing and sales, customer satisfaction, and transportation have a significant effect on supply chain performance, while the two variables of cost and flexibility were not in desirable condition. Therefore, it is suggested that the supply chain should adopt appropriate strategies for better survival and widespread use and incorporate various processes, such as lower costs and greater flexibility in the business environment, which will improve the performance of the supply chain.

Nowadays, the empowerment of rural people is an important development objective in any country. Accordingly, rural micro-credit fund plans have been introduced as an initiative to improve the quality of life for men and women in rural areas. Therefore, the present study is conducted to evaluate the efficacy of rural micro-credit funds as a financing initiative in improving the quality of life and empowerment of villagers in Ghale Ganj County, Kerman province during 2015-2018. It aims to evaluate the influence of empowering the members of rural micro-credit funds on their willingness to start up new businesses. The statistical population includes all villagers who are a member of the micro-credit funds. The sample size was estimated about 577 people based on using Cochran formula and through random and cluster sampling. The research instrument is a questionnaire, which its validity is confirmed by experts, and its reliability is estimated with coefficient alpha, 0.85, 0.92, and 0.91 for empowerment, self-efficacy, and starting businesses, respectively. These numbers are indicative of the high potential of instruments for data gathering. Data analysis is done through SPSS 25 and LISREL 8.8. Findings approve the goodness of fit of the structural model of the research. Besides, it is found that empowerment dimensions have a positive, direct, and significant impact on the inclination to start businesses. Furthermore, empowerment dimensions through the self-efficacy mediator variables have positive and significant effects.

This study aimed to explain factors affecting the support of tourism development among the residents of wetland areas of the Khuzestan province, focusing on the development of a conceptual framework based on the social exchange and place image theories. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire which its reliability was confirmed using composite reliability, as well as Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and its validity was confirmed in three ways: content, construct, and discriminant. The statistical population of this study was the households living in the villages located in the four wetland areas of Khuzestan province, namely Shadegan, Miangaran, Bamedeh, and Hoor Al Azim. Using a stratified sampling method, we selected 316 households. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS and AMOS software. The results showed that the framework developed in this study based on social exchange theory and place image was able to fit the data well identify more variables affecting the support of tourism development among the residents of Khuzestan wetlands. Among the variables of the theoretical framework, the awareness and place image had an effect on the perception of socio-cultural impacts, and the perception of the socio-cultural effects had an influence on the residents' attitude toward tourism development and also support for tourism development in the Khuzestan wetlands.

Recently, rural tourism is a type of tourism that has the capacity to attract tourists along with rural development by making surplus income, providing a better quality of life for residents, and improving infrastructures. Regarding the mediating role of overall satisfaction in the rural tourism industry, this study investigates the relationship between the factors of sustainable competitive advantages and loyalty through a descriptive-analytical approach. The statistical population of the research involves all visitors of Golestan province villages. The statistical sample comprises 386 tourists based on Krejcie and Morgan Table. A questionnaire is used for data collection, and a pre-test is applied to test its validity and reliability. The validity of the survey is confirmed by content methods, tools, and constructs, and its reliability is confirmed by Cronbach's alpha method. The authors, while thoroughly reviewing the theoretical foundations and selecting the members of the statistical sample using simple random sampling, have tested the research hypotheses by a structural equation modeling method. Using LISREL 8.8 software, the results of the structural equation model show that there is a significant relationship between factors such as quality, value, image, and satisfaction and dependent variables of overall satisfaction and loyalty.

Date palm gardening economy has faced with many challenges in function, production, maintenance infrastructure, and marketing in the less developed countries, including Iran- which is the major producer of this product. Therefore, understanding the nature and relational dynamics that exist between actors is of great importance. Accordingly, this study aims to trace and construct a spatial relationships between human and nonhuman actors in the field of commercial ability of date palms to develop the functions of date palm economy in the Makkoran area. This research is conducted based on a mixed-methods (sequential strategy-variable) approach. The statistical population of the research consists of 17493 farmers and 32 agricultural experts. A purposive-probabilistic sampling method is used for sampling. For determining the sample size in the qualitative stage, the "adequacy of information" method, and the "representativeness" method based on the Cochran formula is employed in the quantitative stage.  The type of analytical method used in the study is "Sequential Combinatorial Analysis" based on a sequential qualitative-quantitative strategy. Qualitative data is analyzed using "NVIVO" software, and quantitative one is analyzed using statistical methods in the SPSS software environment. Final analysis and inference of data are based on Latour's argument (1987) in the "translation" method. The findings of the study show that various spatial relationships between actors (human and inhuman) are established or developing. Based on these relationships, factors such as geographical location, climate, date palm, farmer, capital, target market, refrigerator, government, spatial distance, transportation technology are considered as the key and active actors in commercialization of date palm as they shape a broader and stronger network of actors with durable relationships.

The present is carried out aimed at developing a plan for development and sustainable rural livelihoods with an emphasis on Baghdan village in Nikshahr county. Accordingly, a  participatory rural appraisal (PRA) method is used to collect the research data. Data analysis is also performed using the Seven Capital and the Radar Models. The participants of the study consist of 23 experts who are selected purposefully. The findings of the research showed that Baghdan village has appropriate natural and social capital, and its human capital is increasing. At the same time, it is found that the village does not have good spatial capital. However, according to the existing context and the demand of the villagers, implementing the scenario of relocating the village in the proposed location will create new spatial and employment opportunities for the village and villagers. There are also some weaknesses in the infrastructural capitals of the village that they can be addressed by implementing the relocation scenario. Besides, there also some weaknesses in the institutional capital of the village in terms of legal documentation. The development plans for tourism and agriculture have some problems in terms of the coordination of inter-organizational programs, and the effectiveness of the programs for job creation and livelihoods is also under question. Finally, according to the radar model and based on the opportunities available in each of the seven capitals of the village, the future development and employment plan of Baghdan village is elaborated.

Economic development and increased demand for energy make it necessary for the use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Raw solid wastes, as one of the sources of biogas, contribute significantly to the creation of a type of renewable energy. Reviews show that biomass energy can be considered as an alternative to fossil fuels. In addition to its fewer harmful effects on the environment, it is an inexhaustible source of energy. The general purpose of this research is to explain a conceptual framework of using renewable energy in rural areas based on biological resources. To operationalize this target, we designed a conceptual framework by designing valid internal and external sources in the field of research. Then, based on the conceptual framework, we calculated the amount of energy extracted in the garden, crop, livestock, and household parts of the under-studied village. In the following, considering the baseline calculations of energy, we presented applied scenarios. The results show that the total amount of energy obtained from biomass is 70857266.1 kJ. By defining multiple scenarios, the energy obtained from the biomass sector can suplly 17.17% of household electricity consumption, 2.60% of gas consumption, 68.58% of the energy needed for public lighting of rural pathways, 54.67% of electricity required for pumping the village water to natural resources lands  with 131 meters high, 70.3% of power needed for sprinkler irrigations, and 60.42% of the electricity required for drip irrigation.

Attention to the preservation of the environment and the local economy has made ecotourism a focus of planners and tourism professionals in recent years. In order to achieve the goals of ecotourism, the development of Ecotourism Residence is one of the most effective ways. In this regard, the province of Guilan, as one of the main tourism destinations in Iran with a large number of attractions and tourism resources, has always been a popular tourism destination that giving enough attention to the principles of ecotourism can lead to the development of the province.  Accordingly, the development of ecotourism residences in the rural areas has been emphasized by the authorities throughout the past few years. Therefore, this research intends to use a qualitative method to identify the problems and challenges of developing ecotourism residences in the rural areas of Guilan province using grounded theory. Based on a purposeful and theoretical sampling, 41 experts, tourism activists, villagers, and officials were selected. Semi-structured interviews and field observations were used to collect data and information. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation stage. Based on the Grounded Theory, data coding was done in three stages, and its results were six nuclear issues, including factors related to land use, marketing, administrative problems, attractions, the lack of training and facilities, and management and planning.