مهسا فاطمی

The main aim of this study was to identify and analyze the effect of social capital on entrepreneurial activities of Fars province specialized companies in Iran to improve their status. This descriptive research was accomplished using survey and required data was collected through questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was used and sample size was estimated to be 380 rural women. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by the viewpoints of professors as well as conducting a pilot study, calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, respectively. Based on the results of path analysis, social capital and social networks activities had a direct and significant effect on entrepreneurial activities. Business plan writing skill, creativity, entrepreneurial motivation, family communication, supportive policies, educational-counseling policies, and business environments also had a direct and significant effect on social capital. Creativity, entrepreneurial motivation, family communication and educational policies had a direct and significant effect on social networking activities, as well. Enhancing the ability of entrepreneurs to start and continue entrepreneurial activities, paying attention to the role of social networks and their interacting as well as considering social capital as a link between business networks by identifying entrepreneurial opportunities and providing resources and facilities are essential in this regard.

Women entrepreneurs use virtual social networks in their professional relationships. These relationships with higher quality leads to better performance in their businesses. The present study aimed to analyze the effects of virtual social networks on improving rural women’s entrepreneurship. The statistical population of the study included all members of the Agricultural Development Specialized Holding Companies in Fars province in Iran. The study was conducted using survey and stratified random sampling methods with 269 individuals participated via questionnaires. The results indicated that virtual social networks had a favorable effect on rural women’s businesses. There was a significant difference between women in the different studied counties regarding the effects of virtual social networks on business. In addition, a significant difference was observed between women in various groups regarding the effect of virtual social networks on business. In addition, greater effect of virtual social networks on women’s businesses led to higher business resilience among the women entrepreneur and their businesses, which resulted in increasing the women’s information about business activities and their entrepreneurial activities in their businesses. Further, more use of social networks by the women led to more use of marketing methods and strategies. Therefore, it is suggested that Agricultural Development Specialized Holding Companies use the functions of virtual social networks in order to information transfer, networking and online training for members when necessary. Also provide the necessary training in the application of appropriate marketing methods and strategies to rural women entrepreneurs using these networks.

Knowledge, as one of the pillars of success, is an essential factor for innovation, production and economic growth. Knowledge management is a new strategy that organizations, would need that so as to increase their performance and success. In case companies don’t use knowledge management system correctly and at proper time, they would be either faced with failure or obliged to leave the arena of contest. Agricultural knowledge-based companies have a key role for the regeneration of the agriculture and increase of the employment of agricultural graduates in this field. As presently the challenge of managers is to provide a suitable environment for the growth of the human mind in knowledge-oriented companies that embrace a cutting-edge approach to knowledge management, wherein knowledge is tailored to fit the specific context, are poised for success. By fostering effective learning, this approach leads to enhanced performance and improved efficiency. In this study, many studies were reviewed and generations of knowledge management were analyzed with a paradigmatic approach. Almost 100 related books and articles were reviewed through archival research. The findings showed that knowledge-based companies should go from the first generation of knowledge management to the use of the fourth generation; that way the internet use, social networks, analytical tools, intelligent agents, etc., might have a great participation with one another, which leads to their stay in the contest scene, and their faster achievement of future-oriented and dynamic results. Therefore, it is suggested that agricultural knowledge-based companies have focus on transformational management and its characteristics.