نشریه تعاون و کشاورزی
سال دوم شماره 7 (پاییز 1392)

This research study aimed to analyze the effects of some components relating to social capital such as: trust, cooperation, solidarity, communication and networks as well as social awareness regarding the formation of rural cooperative activities. Descriptive survey methodology and a correlational design were used to conduct this study. The target population consisted of (N=523) residents in villages of Dehkaeed, Dojoft, Chaharcharik in the Shazand Township. The Sample size (n=171) included respondents selected according to Cochran's formula. Simple random sampling method was used. A questionnaire was developed by the researchers to elicit responses. A panel of experts, comprised of faculty members was used to establish suitability and content validity of the instrument. Reliability of the questionnaire (α>0.7) was measured using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for both variables (social capital and formation of rural cooperative activities) and also for the total (sum of questions on social capital formation of rural cooperative activities). Lisrel software, structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis was implemented. The coefficients of correlation model showed that there was a significant difference between the­ social capital and the formation of rural cooperative activities. The results indicated that in order to enhance rural cooperative activities, an increase in social capital is needed. Among the factors, social solidarity had the highest effect (correlation coefficient 0.78) on social capital. Overall, participants scored an appropriate level measurement regarding the formation of rural cooperative activities and social capital.

The main purpose of this study was to assess the performance of rural cooperatives in Gilan province by the use of balanced score cards. The research design was descriptive and was an appied in nature. The target population included all stakeholders, executive managers and directors of rural cooperatives located in Lahijan and Siahkal Townships in Gilan Province (N=39205). The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire. Validity of the instrument was gained by a panel of experts consisting of faculty members in agricultural management department and Cooperative Organization specialists. Reliability analysis was conducted by using Cronbach’s alpha formula and the result was 0l.81. A balanced score cards model was implemented to examine four dimensions (financial, customers, internal business process, growth and learning) in rural cooperatives. Findings revealed that cooperatives were not in a pretty good condition in terms of financial features. However, it was recommended that in order to improve their performance, cooperatives should seriously consider learning and growth strategy as well as boosting their internal business process features.

This study aimed to investigate the differences between the purposes and performance of various small quick-turnover agricultural firms in regard to job creation as well as gender separation in Kerman Province. An ANCOVA statistical method was used to analyze the gender distinctiveness and present explanations. The research findings showed that there was a significant difference between the gender executives in small quick-turnover firms and their performance in terms of job creation. However, there were significant differences between natural and legal executives and performance of firms. In the same path, one obvious finding showed that cooperative firms had not been successful in their performance. In terms of policy analysis, the findings showed that women had the ability to create jobs in agriculture section. Hence, a more focused, appropriate and supportive types of policies and procedures could surely bring about a higher confidence in this target group to perform their tasks and achieve their goals.

The objective of this study was to analyze non-financial farming production cooperatives and the role of social capital in Khuzestan province. This research was an applied type study and causal relationship method was used. The population (N=3273) included members of farming production cooperatives in Khuzestan Province. Sample size (n=203) was determined by using Cochran formula. Content and face validity of the questionnaire obtained by a panel of experts consisting of faculty members and cooperative specialists. A pilot test was conducted. Questionnaire reliability was estimated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Reliability for the overall instrument was estimated at 0.72. For data analysis SPSS 19 software was used. Results of Spearman correlation coefficients showed that there was a significant difference between social awareness, social trust, social cohesion, social participation, total social capital, and the performance of farming production cooperatives in Khuzestan province (modern management indicators) at the 99% level of confidence. The results of the regression analysis indicated that the three independent variables, social participation, social awareness, and social trust determined 58.5 percent of the variations in the dependent variable explained. Independent variable of social participation had the most significant role regarding the cooperative performance.

The primary purpose of this research was to examine factors affecting entrepreneurship development in women rural cooperatives in Mazandaran Province. The research design for this study was descriptive-correlational method. The research Instrument used was a questionnaire. Validity was established by a panel of experts. A pilot test was conducted with 30 subjects. Cronbach alpha coefficient was calculated for different parts of the instrument ranging from 0.69 to 0.86. The population was all women that were members of rural cooperatives in Mazandaran province (N=1372). According to Krejcie & Morgan’ Table, (n=300) respondents were chosen as sample by using stratified sampling and finally 267 questionnaires were gathered and analyzed. The majority of rural women stated that the level of entrepreneurship development was appropriate. The inferential statistical results showed that there was a positive relationship between factors driving entrepreneurship development and the level of entrepreneurship development. The multiple regression showed that personality and educational factors can estimate 18.40 % of variation of entrepreneurship development.

The main objective of this study was to examine the animal husbandry cooperative’s social capital status in East Khuzestan Province. The research design for this study was a descriptive – survey study design. The population consisted of the members of 15 animal husbandry cooperatives in the Eastern part of Khuzestan Province (N=300). At a 95 percent confidence level a sample size of 140 was needed to represent the population (Krejice and Morgan, 1970). A random sample of members stratified proportionally by Province was generated. Data were collected using a questionnaire as the research instrument which its validity was confirmed by faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education at Khuzestan Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University. its reliability was approved a by applying a pilot study in Ghaletol village (α= 0.7- 0.9). The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between number of livestock (livestock & dairy), number of cooperative's members, political participation, motivation to joining the cooperative, rate of social relationships and number of participation in education - extension courses 99% confidence level with the social capital. Also, the number of household members had a significant relationship with social capital at the 95% confidence level. The findings of the stepwise discriminat analysis indicated that the rate of social relationships, political participation, motivation in joining the cooperative and the number of members in each cooperatives (representing 0.096, 0.031, 0.019 and 0.005) respectively, explained by the social capital.