CO - OPERATION AND AGRICULTURE (TAAVON)
Year:2016 | Volume:5 | Issue:19 |Papers Count:7

The purpose of this study was to analyze the behavior of paddy farmers as members of the rural production cooperatives in the context of sustainable agriculture. The population included all the paddy farmers that were members of rural production cooperatives in Sari Township (N= 4160), based on Cochran formula, 162 subjects were selected by the use of stratified sampling method (n=173). The instrument used was a questionnaire, the validity of which was gained by a panel of experts and also its reliability was reported 0. 83-0. 93. The results showed that knowledge, attitudes and skills of majority of the paddy farmers in the context of sustainable agriculture was at a moderate level. Also, overall assessment showed that their behavior and performance was at an acceptable level. The results of ANOVA test showed that farmers with more experience had a significant higher and positive performance in their field as well as implementing sustainable agriculture practices.

This research studied the main factors of brand equity on brand resonance of customers by using Keller's brand equity model on the website of the Central Union of Agricultural and Rural Cooperatives in Iran. Simple random sampling was used to select 384 customer of Iran Central Union of rural and agricultural cooperatives, whom at least once used the website of this company. The method for gathering data and information was according to the field study, research design was descriptive – survey. The device for gathering data was a researcher made questionnaire. For data analysis, Spearman correlation coefficient was performed to test the hypotheses and path analysis was implemented to examine the effects of each of the dimensions of brand equity on resonance by Lisrel software. The results showed that the perceived brand performance had positive effect on costumers brand judgment and also brand image and both of them had positive effects on brand resonance, meanwhile the brand image variable had positive effect on the brand judgment of the website.

The objective of this study was to investigate the attitudes and factors affecting participation of the fishermen's member of cooperative corporations in various activities and their practices in Guilan province. The research method implemented was ex post facto causal design. The statistical population was 6000 fisherman who were members of 75 cooperative corporations. The sample size (n=510) was calculated using Cochran formula from among 25 cooperative corporations. They were selected according to simple random and stratified sampling method. The survey questionnaire was used to collect the information. In order to analyze the data SPSS software was used. For reliability of the instrument a pilot-test was used. The Coronbach's alpha level gained was 0. 85. The results showed there were significant correlations between personal, and social characteristics with the level of participation and among of knowledge, behavior and social attitudes with factors affecting participation. The level of attitude about the participation in the activities of cooperative corporations was at the medium level.

The main goal of current study was identifying and prioritizing effective factors on cooperatives businesses failure in Industrial Estate of Ilam Township. This research in terms of purpose was applied and in terms of controlling variables was nonexperimental. Statistical population in this research included all managers of cooperative businesses and experts of cooperation in Ilam Township that by using purposeful sampling method 28 people of them were selected as the sample. Instrument of data gathering was structured interview using Tomas-L Saati nine order professional questionnaires. The validity of the questionnaire was gained by expert opinions of university professors and specialists. The reliability of questionnaire was gained by considering incompatibility of decision matrices due to judgment of each respondent. The SPSS23 and Expert Choice Software 11 and AHP methods were used for analyzing data. Results showed that the most important effective factors on cooperatives businesses failure in industrial estate of Ilam Township were respectively as: cultural, individual, economical, managerial skills and legal-political. Among these factors, the most important factor was cultural and the least important factor was legal-political.

This study investigated farmer’ s attitudes toward the cooperation and teamwork in Jiroft Township. For conducting this research a survey method has been used. The research statistical population were the farmers in the central part of Jiroft (5936 farmers) who were selected by Kerjecie and Morgan random sampling Table and by the use of stratified sampling method 381 farmers were selected as the sample. The instrument for collecting data was a questionnaire that was made by the researchers. Internal consistency was gained by a pilot test. Cronbach's alpha of (0. 759 to 0. 874) was obtained. Statistical method such as cluster analysis test, one-sample t test, and independent-sample t test and discriminant analysis have been used. The research results showed that 43. 31 percent of respondents had positive attitude toward cooperation and teamwork. On the other hand, 56. 69 percent had negative attitude toward cooperation and teamwork. The discriminant analysis results showed that variables of efficiency, observation, awareness and recognition, general efficacy, tangible behavior control, self-esteem, mental norms, and education level were respectively the farmers’ attitude determinate toward cooperation and teamwork. Generally the research variables, the ability of determining had 51. 60 percent of the variance of attitude toward the cooperation and teamwork.

The purpose of this study was to prioritize common exploitation systems in Behbahan Township based on sustainable livelihoods model. Capital of sustainable livelihoods model such as: physical, social, human, financial and natural resources were considered as comparison criteria based on analytical hierarchy process requirements. Sub-criteria were chosen at different levels using the knowledge and theoretical foundations. Sixty farmers were selected randomly to collect information from any of the exploitation systems (family, rental and cooperative). In order to determine the weight of each criteria and sub criteria on different levels, 5 questionnaires were completed by experts who were specialists and knowledgeable on the subject of research. A paired comparisons based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process was implemented. Data were analyzed using Excel, SPSS (V20) and Expert Choice software. Results showed that the criteria of human, financial, social, and physical and natural resource capital with the weight of 0. 360, 0. 354, 0. 106, 0. 099 and 0. 081 played a significant role in determining the sustainability of a farming system. Also, among the three systems studied in this research, cooperative system introduced as the most stable and family and rental systems were in the next rank.

The main objective of this research was to analyze the obstacles hampering organizational entrepreneurship development in agricultural cooperatives in Kermanshah province. This qualitative research conducted by the use of Grounded Theory (GT). Purposeful sampling was used to select samples consisted of key active informant experts in relevant organization (n=17). Respondents indicated that the major obstacles hampering the development of OE included lack of support from cooperative board of directors and CEOs lack of desire for entrepreneurial activities, the lack of economical-financial support, lack of budget and individual income) and lack of knowledge and education. Based on conclusions, there is a significant need for providing general financial facilities to boost exports, support by the banks and other financial institutions, reduction of bank interests, granting tax exemptions for newly established cooperatives and entrepreneurial educational institutions were recommended.