درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Purpose- The widespread use of virtual platforms has become a common practice in present management, and rural areas are identified as a sector that can greatly benefit from this technology. Statistic data in the field of communication and information technology exhibit a significant increase in internet access in rural areas, a trend that is on the rise globally. The successful implementation of smart village initiatives in Asia shows a promising way to improve life in rural areas, overcome existing challenges, prevent the collapse of social structures, and counteract the problem of rural exodus. It can be argued that by advancing information technology and smart village initiatives, life quality in rural areas can be positively impacted.Design/methodology/approach- The research population comprised the entire statistical community of four districts in Kalar County. Three villages were randomly selected from each district, resulting in a total of 150 samples from 262 households, using the Cochran formula with a 5% error rate. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed through content validity and Cronbach's alpha.Finding- The results of this study indicated that the existing infrastructure for smart village development in the rural areas of Kalar County is in an unsatisfactory condition. Additionally, the level of knowledge and information of residents regarding the smartification process in the study area is insufficient. Moreover, the effectiveness of this emerging process in improving the life quality for the local population was not as impactful as expected. The driving and inhibiting factors affecting the development of smart villages in Kalar County do not align with optimistic expectations hindering the desired outcomes.

Purpose- This study examined the effects of non-revenue water (NRW) on organisation running costs and customer satisfaction. The intention was to describe the NRW's effects on the MUWASA's performance as a case study. Specifically, it identified factors prompting non-revenue water; described the NRW effects on organisation running costs; and examined the level of customer satisfaction towards service provision.Design/methodology/approach- A purposive sampling technique was used to pick respondents for the household survey and key informant interview. The study included 100 respondents (70 connected customers and 30 employees of the authority). MUWASA serves 5 zones of the municipality; therefore, the study obtained 70 connected customers from the five zones of the authority. The household survey and the key informant interviews (KII) were the main data collection methods, the survey technique was used to collect data from 100 respondents and seven were involved in key informant interviews.  Descriptive and inferential statistics and content analysis were used in data analysis.Findings- The findings have indicated that NRW affects the water utility revenue collection, and organisation running costs, which jeopardizes customer satisfaction with the organizational service delivery. Originality/value- Based on the National Water Policy of 2002 which aims at achieving sustainable, effective, and efficient development and management of Water Supply and Sanitation one of its objectives is to create an enabling environment and appropriate incentives for the delivery of reliable, sustainable, and affordable water supply and sanitation services. Therefore, the findings of this study are a catalyst for the improvement of the set policy objectives and enhance interventions where necessary.

Purpose- This study aims to examine the delivery and quality of rural tourism services from the perspective of managers of eco-lodges in Guilan Province, Iran. It also seeks to identify the key reasons behind the lack of adoption of service quality standards by these managers. The significance of the topic lies in its contribution to sustainable tourism development, enhancement of rural residents’ quality of life, and improvement of tourist satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach- This applied research employed a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected through both library and field methods. The statistical population included all licensed eco-lodges in Guilan Province (126 units), which were studied using a census method. Data collection was carried out using the standard SERVQUAL questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 through descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, factor analysis, and the Friedman test. Findings- The results revealed a significant gap between the current quality of services and the desired standards in the eco-lodges of Guilan. Most managers perceived the official service quality standards as inefficient or impractical. The primary reasons cited included inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training, and weak supervisory systems. Research limitations/implications- The study is limited to a single province and reflects solely the managers’ viewpoints. Future research is recommended to include the perspectives of tourists and regulatory authorities. Additionally, developing and localizing service quality assessment models tailored to the characteristics of rural accommodations is suggested. Practical implications- To enhance service quality, the study recommends providing training programs for managers, improving tourism infrastructure, revising service quality indicators, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems. Showcasing successful models from other regions can also help increase the efficiency of eco-lodges. Originality/ value- By focusing on the perspectives of service providers as key stakeholders, this study offers a novel contribution and can serve as a reference for policymakers, tourism practitioners, and investors aiming to improve rural tourism service quality.

Purpose- To examine the architectural and economic strategies of rural business spaces from the perspective of experts. Design/methodology/approach- In synthesis of literature review, after reviewing 47 articles found, the relationships between variables in first relation between R.B.S & R.B.A: The components were extracted & converted to 8 components based on the Roberts synthesis method. But since the main unknown of the research was Architecture & speciology of the building, according to the gaps extracted 8 types of architecture were compiled & the axial coding & 8 research content was extracted from it. Then the content-target-table was generated.  In the current step, since theoretical foundations were insufficient, a combined research method was used & the Delphi research method was used in this phase of research. The study community had 41 elite subjects (rural-urban-architectural-entrepreneurial). To analyze the data collected based on the Q factor analysis extracted results & ultimately the most influential factors on the RBS & RBP from each of the specified spatial attributes. The results of the study indicate that in total, 3 categories are emphasized, 5 categories in the 2nd priority, 3 categories are not generally approved by this community, but in some factors it is emphasized. Findings- In response to the research question of what the classification and perspective of the community of experts are on the architectural strategies of rural business spaces, there are 7 views in this regard: Requirements for multi-purpose spaces (second activity): separate, isolated, sanitary, and Indigenous (12.67%); Second activity in the form of multi-purpose buildings or increasing the area for the construction of a sales place in rural buildings (11.49%); The sales Place is equipped with isolation (10.07%); Sanitary and isolated interior architecture (cultivation space) (8.06%); Indigenous model of Health and isolation (7.85%); Reconstruction of old buildings by equipping, and separating and increasing the business area (7.68%)  and etc. Reseach limitation/implications- Interdisciplinary and lack of coherent studies and literature on Rural Business Architecture (R B A) and multi-purpose & hybrid building and architecpreneure (architecture + entrepreneurship). Originality/value– Research started with the hypothesis of multifunctionalization of production spaces, but ultimately concepts such as health & reducing the penetration of the second activity pest were given priority over multifunctioning & combining activities. There for the priority of health concepts & sales & second activity is the innovation of this research.