Entrepreneurship
Gholamhossein Hosseininia; Ahmad Yaghoubi Farani; Reza Seyedin
Abstract
The main purpose of this applied research is to investigate the factors affecting rural female entrepreneur’s business performance. Based on theoretical literature, business performance is affected by several factors such as demographic characteristics, environmental factors, motives, social networks, ...
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The main purpose of this applied research is to investigate the factors affecting rural female entrepreneur’s business performance. Based on theoretical literature, business performance is affected by several factors such as demographic characteristics, environmental factors, motives, social networks, skills, human capital and social learning. This research has been conducted applying a surveying technique by using questionnaire as the main tool. The population consists of 111 rural women who owned business in Mianeh County. The analysis and structural equation modeling showed the significant relationship between independent variables such as rural women’s goals, motives, planning skill, business skills and their business performance. Based on the research results, straightening these variables can enhance rural women entrepreneurship development.
Rural Development
Leila Vossoughi; Mahdieh Ghasemi
Abstract
Regarding gender inequality in many communities, empowerment of women has become an important subject and received more attention in recent years. Results of many researches show that tourism especially ecotourism affects women empowerment in its different aspects by making them interested in participating ...
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Regarding gender inequality in many communities, empowerment of women has become an important subject and received more attention in recent years. Results of many researches show that tourism especially ecotourism affects women empowerment in its different aspects by making them interested in participating tourism activities. Based on findings of previous researches, the current study aims to assess the role of ecotourism development on empowerment of rural women using a descriptive survey method. The population consists of women of Shib-Deraz in Qeshm Island who participate in environmental plan of “conservation of Eretmochelys Embricate “with an emphasis on ecotourism and handicrafts”. A questionnaire was designed based on a theoretical framework. Results show that development of ecotourism can influence social, psychological and economic empowerment of rural women.
economics
Ahmad Yaghoubi Farani; Hajar Vahdat Moaddab; Somayeh Latifi
Abstract
Home business is one of the best fields of women's economic activity and considered as an important strategy for job creation, particularly for rural women. Nonetheless many barriers avoid addressing rural women to these businesses. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the most important barriers ...
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Home business is one of the best fields of women's economic activity and considered as an important strategy for job creation, particularly for rural women. Nonetheless many barriers avoid addressing rural women to these businesses. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the most important barriers for trends of rural women and girls to home businesses. The statistical population of this study was rural women that are over 18 years in Sardrod district in Razan county, Hamedan province. 187 people were studied randomly according to Cochran formula. The most important data collection tool was a questionnaire that its validity was confirmed by panel of experts and Its reliability was tested by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. According to results of factor analysis, barriers to rural women trend to establish home businesses were classified in six factors that were: social and cultural, infrastructure and finance, personality, support, domestic and training. Social and cultural factors as the most important factor was introduced.
Rural Development
Heshmatollah Saadi; Hajar Vahdat Moaddab
Abstract
Female heads of households are responsible for the material and spiritual needs of the families because of a deceased, missing, separated, divorced, addicted, disabled (permanent or temporary), imprisonment, ill or military deployed male head of households. Survey research was employed in the study. ...
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Female heads of households are responsible for the material and spiritual needs of the families because of a deceased, missing, separated, divorced, addicted, disabled (permanent or temporary), imprisonment, ill or military deployed male head of households. Survey research was employed in the study. The target population includes rural women heads of households Razan city. Following Cochran’s formula, a sample of 92 participants was randomly selected. After an extensive literature review, a standardized questionnaire for measure of household food insecurity was used. The questionnaire reliability which is estimated by Cronbach’s Alpha was 89.5.Findings of research indicated that food security for 25 percent of women in over and 75 percent of them are different degrees of food insecurity. So food security have significant relationship with factors such as education, the number of children under 18 years old, supervisory status, and home ownership.
Heshmatollah Sadi; Hosein Shabanali Fami; Somayeh Latifi
Abstract
This study evaluates the economic and social power of rural women in Hamadan who manufacture rugs and factors affecting it. Survey method was applied through questionnaires to conduct the research. 404 female rug makers were selected from Hamedan province based on Krejcie & Morgan table. The results ...
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This study evaluates the economic and social power of rural women in Hamadan who manufacture rugs and factors affecting it. Survey method was applied through questionnaires to conduct the research. 404 female rug makers were selected from Hamedan province based on Krejcie & Morgan table. The results suggest that social ability mean of female rug weavers is higher than their economic potency. The results of regression analysis also showed that the variables of handmade rug’s size, availability of materials and tools of rug making, the level of related technical knowledge, and rug weaving time length during a day are among the most important factors of rural women’s economic ability which defines 42 percent of variance of their economic ability. Regarding social potency, the variables of job satisfaction, economic ability, level of related technical knowledge, and level of education explicate 43 percent of the variables of social ability. Considering the results of this research, strengthening the indicators affecting economic and social power of female rug makers especially indicators of availability of materials and tools of rug making, and related technical knowledge of rug making through holding courses to empower them is necessary.
hasan ali faraji sabokbar; morteza nemati; afshin khaki
Abstract
This study has investigated the effects of ICT to increase efficiency and empowerment of rural women using data envelopment analysis (DEA) to investigate the mechanism of effectiveness of information technology (ICT) on the efficiency and empowerment of rural women in the village of Gharn Abad, Golestan ...
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This study has investigated the effects of ICT to increase efficiency and empowerment of rural women using data envelopment analysis (DEA) to investigate the mechanism of effectiveness of information technology (ICT) on the efficiency and empowerment of rural women in the village of Gharn Abad, Golestan province. In this study, using survey methods, 38 users and 25 non-users of technology (control group) were selected by stratified random sampling. Female users of technology were classified into seven levels, with level 1 the least and level 7 the most users. Based on the results, the performance of rural women in basic levels of IT users is better than their performance in higher levels. The study also confirmed the theory of digital gap, and the positive effects of information technologies and communication on empowering women in the economic, social, political, and psychological, dimensions and shows an increase in rural women's performance.
kiyoumars zarafshani; amir hossein ali baygi; mojgan faghiri
Abstract
Empowering rural women is one of the third millennium goals. To this end it was proposed to allot micro credits to rural women in order to provide the required capital to launch productive careers. Now after a decade from the establishment of micro credit funds in Iran, only few researches have been ...
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Empowering rural women is one of the third millennium goals. To this end it was proposed to allot micro credits to rural women in order to provide the required capital to launch productive careers. Now after a decade from the establishment of micro credit funds in Iran, only few researches have been done to give a rank to them. The present research is conducted through survey method to rank micro credit funds based on empowering rural women of Kermanshah using Bartlett table and systematic random sampling for which 183 women members of this fund were selected. The ranking results show that from economic aspect: Fash (Kangavar), Tamarg, Pariveh (Mersin) have achieved the places first to third, in terms of empowering women goals. From social aspect: Fash, Pariveh and Gheitas Abad were placed first to third. From family aspect: members of Fash Fund, Pariveh, and Kooseh vand were ranked first to third. According to the results, since the authorities of the funds can play a key role in the success of funds it is recommended to the Office for Rural Women’s Affairs that the authorities of funds are selected based on the votes of the members and criteria like: education, age, etc.
Zarafshani Kiyoumars; Hossein Agahi; khoshghadam khaledi
Volume 9, Issue 1 , April 2011, , Pages 165-183
Abstract
Needs assessment is “gaps between current conditions and desired conditions”. Most educational programs in extension education pay little attention to clients’ needs. This devalues the assessment as a policy making tool. However, this study will approach both rural women and extension agents’ ...
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Needs assessment is “gaps between current conditions and desired conditions”. Most educational programs in extension education pay little attention to clients’ needs. This devalues the assessment as a policy making tool. However, this study will approach both rural women and extension agents’ perception, supposing rural women’s needs are considered to find areas of match or mismatch among stakeholders. Therefore, the survey aimed at inspecting educational needs of rural women in Ghomum Village using Borich needs assessment model and quadrant analysis.
Through survey methodology, Borich (1980) obtained some data that could be ranked in order of priority. He believed that through needs assessment model rural women should judge about their own needs. Other researchers have also defined approaches to assessing educational needs. Through quadrant analysis, Witkin (1984) used importance as a qualifying factor in deriving priorities without fallacy of basing priority decisions on simple discrepancies.
The population consisted of rural women and community extension agents in Gomum village. 100 women were selected and 35 of them were brought in to the study. Through Borich needs assessment model the questionnaires revealed that home economics, child care and methods of cooking were their top three needs. And quadrant analysis showed that educational needs were also ranked high. As a result both techniques should be used. Specifically, issues such as home economics, child care, and method of cooking should be more emphasized when planning extension classes for women residing in Gomum village.
Mansour Ghanian; Mojtaba Ghadiri Masoum; Seyed Hassan Motiee Langroodi; Kiumars Zarafshani
Volume 8, Issue 3 , October 2010
Abstract
Countries around the world are finding rural tourism as an alternative to sustainable development. This line of thinking requires a more diversified economy, enhanced human resource criteria, reduced rural migration, enhanced efficiency in human resources, job creation, cultural interaction, and environmental ...
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Countries around the world are finding rural tourism as an alternative to sustainable development. This line of thinking requires a more diversified economy, enhanced human resource criteria, reduced rural migration, enhanced efficiency in human resources, job creation, cultural interaction, and environmental conservation. In addition, farm families are seeking more diversified form of production in order to survive the competitive world in agriculture. Environmental stress, reduced government support, climate change, and higher living expenses coupled with demand for better life quality are the motivational factors influencing farm families’ desire for multi-functional agriculture. Undoubtedly, women are the key players in rural development. However, their role is not as effective as their male counterparts. This is more visible in traditional society where women are more marginalized and excluded in rural development interventions. This gender differentiation has caused rural women to be excluded in many rural development interventions. This study aims to investigate the perception of local villagers of different gender groups in terms of acceptance of tourists in their village. Moreover, the present study determines the level of participation among local villages (men and women) in tourism activities and how this level of participation differs across gender. Finally, the present study focuses on motivation of local people in engaging in tourism activities and how this motivation has changed their social role. For the mentioned purposes, the study uses a mixed method design (a survey method and a case study) which includes structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview. In the qualitative part of the study, 19 people are interviewed using semi-structure format. In the quantitative part, 134 men and women residing in Oraman village located in Sarvabad town of Kurdistan province respond to the questionnaire. Results reveal that men and women hold different perceptions in terms of having tourists in their communities; motivation towards participating in tourism activities, and changing social role of women in the development of rural tourism. Moreover, an indigenous structure in rural tourism seems to be emerging as an entrepreneurial tourism. The result of this study has implications for Travel and Tourism Organization. First of all, tourist attraction can be made easier with rural women playing a major role. Their non-economic intentions as compared to men make them a valuable resource in attracting more tourists in their area. Men on the other hand, can be given state-support in setting up a business venture. This would in turn motivate local villagers in seeking more entrepreneurial ventures.
Amir Mozaffar Amini; Mohammad ali Shapurabadi
Volume 7, Issue 4 , January 2010
fazileh khani; Manijeh Ahmadi
Volume 7, Issue 4 , January 2010
kiumars zarafshani; KHOSHGHADAM KHALEDI; Mansour Ghanian
Volume 7, Issue 3 , September 2009
Abstract
Over the past decades, participatory approaches to development have been the center of attention not only as a means to sustainable development but also as an end. Although women's role in rural development is emphasized, their participation in extension educational programs is nevertheless limited. ...
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Over the past decades, participatory approaches to development have been the center of attention not only as a means to sustainable development but also as an end. Although women's role in rural development is emphasized, their participation in extension educational programs is nevertheless limited. Using Sherry Aronstein theoretical framework, the descriptive-survey research aims to determine the level of participation among rural women. Considering Krejcie and Morgan (1980) table of sample size, multistage random sampling is used to select 120 rural women. The results follow Sherry Arnstein's ladder from bottom to top sequentially as manipulation, therapy, informing, consultation, placation, partnership, delegated power, and citizen control. Findings reveal that rural women are more on manipulation level (non-participation) and less on placation level (tokenism). Results also show that there is a significant difference between women's participation and educational level as well as marital status. Finally, recommendations are provided to enhance rural women's participation in extension education programs.
Volume 6, Issue 1 , May 2008
Abstract
Non-renewable natural resources play an important role in sustainable development of developing countries such as Iran. However, if natural resources are to be preserved for future generations, proper use of such resources will be imperative. Women are one of the prime users of natural resources. This ...
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Non-renewable natural resources play an important role in sustainable development of developing countries such as Iran. However, if natural resources are to be preserved for future generations, proper use of such resources will be imperative. Women are one of the prime users of natural resources. This study assesses the conservational behavior of rural women and factors influencing such behavior with regards to destruction, protection, and restoration of desert areas of Khuzestan province in Iran during the year 2006-2007.Using multi-stage random sampling techniques data is collected and rural women living in desert areas are interviewed. Result reveal rural women play in a vital role in protection, restoration and destruction of natural resources. Moreover, there is no significant relationship between personal characteristics and their activities in using natural resources. This implies that destruction of natural resources is not attributed to intentions of rural women. However, human basic needs such as searching for a place to live, unpredictable weather conditions, lack of conservation knowledge, financial difficulties, large family members, over grazing, and using woods as a means of fuel are the prime reason for destruction.
Volume 3, Issue 1 , March 2005
Abstract
Micro credits can playa significant role in supplying necessary funds for employment of rural women, supporting small rural industries, creating new job opportunities and preventing rural migration. This research tries to asses the effects of micro credits which is paid to rural women of Zanjan province. ...
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Micro credits can playa significant role in supplying necessary funds for employment of rural women, supporting small rural industries, creating new job opportunities and preventing rural migration. This research tries to asses the effects of micro credits which is paid to rural women of Zanjan province. The study applies descriptive survey research. The questionnaire and interview techniques are used for data collection in this study. The statistical population consists of rural women that have got micro credit from
Agricultural Bank of Iran during the past 5 years in province of
Zanjan, Iran (N=61). The results of the study show that women use the credits for the purpose of animal production, horticulture, farming, the costs of their children's education, buying furniture, food stuffs, clothes, medicine and hand made industry. The paid credits have the most impact and strong motivation on women regarding their abilities,
increasing life management skills, increasing their se1f- confidences and inform rural women about their potential abilities and improving status of women in family.
Volume 3, Issue 1 , March 2005
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to identify the potential and actual abilities of rural women living in three northern provinces of
Iran (Golestan, Gillan and Mazandaran). The research is an applied one, using descriptive and survey methods. The sample population is 1382 women, over 10 years old. Data ...
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The purpose of this article is to identify the potential and actual abilities of rural women living in three northern provinces of
Iran (Golestan, Gillan and Mazandaran). The research is an applied one, using descriptive and survey methods. The sample population is 1382 women, over 10 years old. Data is collected by using a semi structured questionnaire and interview. Women were asked to list their
jobs and one of the main indicators which are applied to show their abilities is their income. The results indicate that although these women are active in agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts and services in rural areas of Iran, but they do not receive much training and they have learned their income generation jobs.
Volume 1, Issue 7 , November 2003
Abstract
Rural women spend a considerable portion of their time and energy performing activities that are not calculated in production and the national product. Women’s increasing inequality and decreasing resource benefits are glaring reflections of this condition. This study aims to identify women’s activities ...
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Rural women spend a considerable portion of their time and energy performing activities that are not calculated in production and the national product. Women’s increasing inequality and decreasing resource benefits are glaring reflections of this condition. This study aims to identify women’s activities in the village of Dona, in Mazandaran province, and the time they allocate to each activity. It applied qualitative research over a period of four seasons in 2002. Women spent two-thirds of their waking hours in productive activities, corresponding to an average work time of 10 hours and 26 minutes per day. On average, they spent 17 minutes a day on personal hygiene, health, and leisure-time. No time was spent on education and reading.