۱.
Purpose- Empowering women is essential for the development of any country across economic, social, political, and other dimensions. When a woman is empowered, she gains the opportunity to better understand and advocate for her rights, thereby enhancing her economic and social standing. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to identify and examine the most significant factors influencing the empowerment of rural women and to classify these factors based on their relative importance using a qualitative meta-analysis approach. Design/methodology/approach- In this study, from a total of 73 published articles on the topic of rural women's empowerment, 48 relevant articles were selected based on their alignment with the research objectives and their use of fieldwork and literature-based methodologies. The timeframe for the domestic studies ranged from 2012 to and for international studies from 2011 to 2024. Initially, the research problem and objectives were defined, and then, among the available studies, those meeting the inclusion criteria were sampled. The data extracted from these studies were then collected, coded, and categorized based on the research aims. Ultimately, the findings were standardized to a common scale to allow for comparison. The geographical scope of the selected studies included Iran, as well as countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Findings- The results indicate that in the economic domain, income generation (17.1%), employment (13.8%), access to loans and banking facilities, and land ownership (9.2%) are among the most influential factors. In the socio-cultural domain, factors such as literacy and education (8.5%), cultural norms (7.6%), and knowledge and skills (6.7%) play a critical role. In the psychological domain, self-confidence (14.4%), the ability to make independent choices (9.8%), and self-esteem (8.5%) were key determinants. Politically, mobility freedom (26.1%), women's participation in managerial and governmental positions (19.1%), and restrictive governmental regulations (14.2%) were the most significant. Among these categories, political factors accounted for the largest share (12.4%), followed by economic (5.5%), psychological (3.5%), and socio-cultural (3.2%) factors in contributing to the overall empowerment of women. Originality / Value- The findings of this study can contribute to identifying the most critical factors affecting the empowerment of rural women and can inform the development of effective support policies. Such policies may include promoting gender awareness through mass media, forming rural self-help groups through governmental and non-governmental organizations to provide social and economic support and etc.
۲.
Purpose- This study elucidates the profound impact of power struggles on rural management and the multifaceted challenges confronting rural municipalities (RMs) in Iran. The concept of rural mismanagement, initially proposed to decentralize power and reduce government control, has been a pivotal theme in Iranian rural development literature. Over the past 23 years, tensions between mismanagement and the government have intensified, culminating in an escalation of power struggles among rural stakeholders. This research enriches the existing literature by offering novel insights into the common obstacles faced by rural mismanagement in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach- The study employed qualitative thematic analysis to examine the challenges faced by RMs. Snowball sampling was utilized to identify informed respondents. Through qualitative interviews with 60 local administrators, rural management experts, government officials, and residents, we identified that villages with fewer than 20 households are not recognized as villages and lack RMs, resulting in adverse social and economic consequences. For thematic analysis, interview data were analyzed using the immersion technique and the MAXQDA text analysis program to uncover underlying meanings, structures, themes, and patterns. Findings- This research underscores the challenges facing rural management in Iran and the necessity to expand its functional areas and activities beyond rural boundaries. The findings reveal that RMs are constrained in their responsibilities, limiting their capacity to effectively address organizational concerns. Moreover, distrust in the government undermines the ability of RMs to address community issues, despite their expectations. The research highlights the difficulties RMs encounter in countries with centralized and hierarchical governance structures. The application of the research results underscores the importance of empowering local management, facilitating participation, and institutionalizing processes to address fragmented policymaking and conflicts of interest in rural management. This approach aligns with broader challenges in Iranian rural development, including weak management structures and lack of coordinated programs, which hinder sustainable development.
۳.
Purpose- During the 21st century, ecotourism has become a mainstream alternative for tourists. It is a critical approach to integrating economic growth with the protection of the environment, ensuring sustainable tourism while at the same time transforming modalities of tourism. The aim of the research is to evaluate the impacts of ecotourism in the southern slopes of the Alborz region by utilizing the DPSIR approach. Design/methodology/approach- The research location is the old settlements from Kan to Darabad that enjoy a large tourism potential with various attractions (natural, human, infrastructural, and physical). The sites enjoy a combination of tourism activities (ecotourism, cultural, sportive, food, and religious). The research is applied research in objective and descriptive-analytical in method. The data has been collected through library research (statistical and documentary) and field research (survey and interviews). Findings - The research population in this study included 30 experts, including experts in field of tourism, professors from universities, officials from the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization of Tehran, and officials from various related organizations, selected with the Delphi method. The research tried to evaluate the effects of ecotourism in the southern slopes of Alborz by utilizing the DPSIR approach, which showed that environmental effects at the five-element level -Driving Force, Pressure, State, Impact, and Response- make it possible to undertake a cause-and-effect analysis of environmental pressures from ecotourism. The results of the research identified 10 driving forces, 7 pressure elements, 9 state indicators, and 9 effects. The main response favored policy-making, strategic planning, and management in utilizing natural and human opportunities, capabilities, and resources of the southern slopes of Alborz. The goal is to achieve sustainable development of tourism and the region through nature-based integrated sustainable tourism by converting current challenges and weaknesses into strengths and windows of opportunities. Research limitations/implications - The vast geographical region that is encompassed by the research from Kan to Darabad was prone to numerous limitations, including the non-availability of official data pertaining to the volume of tourists and tourism-based attributes of the research region, non-response of certain tourists to certain questions that were asked during the survey, and time limitations for the completion of the questionnaire. Originality/value - The research employed the use of past research to promote theoretical research discussion and to seek alternative research indicators through the use of scoring with the DPSIR methodology.
۴.
Purpose- This study aims to identify and analyze innovative digital marketing strategies in rural tourism, with a specific focus on leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) and intelligent algorithms within technological ecosystems. The main research question is: How can augmented reality and intelligent algorithms be utilized to enhance digital marketing in rural tourism to effectively attract tourists and promote sustainable local development? This research addresses a gap in the integration of AR and artificial intelligence in rural contexts, where prior studies have often examined these technologies in isolation and with less emphasis on rural settings. Design/methodology/approach- Employing a qualitative exploratory approach and thematic analysis method, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 experts in digital marketing, information technology, and management. Snowball sampling was used for participant selection, with theoretical saturation achieved after the 16th interview. Findings - The analysis revealed seven overarching themes: technological transformation of the tourism experience (e.g., AR virtual tours and AI personalized recommendations), empowerment of local communities (through digital literacy training and local content production), redefinition of marketing strategies (e.g., location-based marketing and algorithm-optimized advertising), cultural and environmental sustainability (preservation via virtual museums and reduced ecological impact), implementation barriers (e.g., weak infrastructure and ethical concerns), horizons of innovation and research (e.g., gamification and metaverse), and digital identity reconstruction (through cultural branding with emerging technologies). Research limitations/implications- Limitations include the focus on a specific cultural context (e.g., rural Iran), lack of longitudinal data for long-term change analysis, and reliance on qualitative data potentially influenced by researcher bias. Implications suggest longitudinal studies to assess long-term technology impacts and comparative research across diverse regions. Practical implications - Rural tourism managers can develop localized AR platforms, implement digital literacy programs for local populations, and deploy AI-powered location-based marketing systems to boost tourist attraction and enhance local sustainability. Originality/value- This study provides the first comprehensive framework for integrating AR and intelligent algorithms in rural tourism marketing, emphasizing rural-specific challenges like infrastructure deficits and cultural resistance, adding value for sustainable development in developing regions.
۵.
Purpose- Geographical space relations have recently experienced profound changes under the influence of several factors, including tourism. The extensive effects of tourism on geographic space have often made negative structural changes. Since tourism outwardly supports local economies, these outcomes have seldom received careful investigation. Therefore, it is highly important to pay attention to the cultural effects, particularly the lasting and frequently disruptive effects on cultural relations. To this end, the present research aims to uncover how the phenomenon of tourism affects the geographic space structure, which forms the central core of human-environment interaction.
Design/methodology/approach- This research adopted a qualitative design with quantitative content analysis. The method was content analysis, while snowball sampling was used in line with the research method. The participants consisted of fifteen residents, leading to the extraction of one hundred concepts and twenty-five axial categories. To measure the frequency of each category and its proportionate role in affecting rural spaces, the related diagrams were drawn and analyzed with the help of MAXQDA software. The geographical scope of this research comprises selected villages in the Bala Taleqan district.
Findings - The findings point out significant and negative effects of tourism on the study area, including economic, social, and environmental effects. The greatest negative effects were observed in the social dimension. Results demonstrate that tourism exerts a pervasive effect on the cultural and value systems of the local community, gradually transforming and eroding them. This indicates that the region has been significantly damaged by tourists.
Research Limitations - This study focuses on Bala Taleqan and seeks to investigate the consequences and effects of tourism on this region.
Practical implications - Recognizing the negative effects of rural tourism and suggesting solutions for local managers to reinforce positive effects while reducing negative effects in Bala Taleqan.
Originality/Value - In contrast to conventional studies, this study often emphasizes a critical approach, identifying damages, challenges, and the reasons for local resistance to rural tourism. Therefore, by identifying the motives behind such opposition, the study can find solutions for the development of rural tourism and fostering better relations between local inhabitants and tourists.
۶.
Purpose- Islamic countries are generally characterized by rural lifestyles and relatively young populations. Despite the global trends of accelerated urbanization and population aging, the traditional structure of rural settlement in these countries has remained largely unchanged. The present study aims to examine the structural factors influencing food security in Islamic countries by analyzing the extent and distribution of rural populations as the key contributors to food security, as well as the demographic composition and environmental structures that shape agricultural production.
Materials, Methods, and Approach- The development strategies of many countries worldwide are based on the quality, efficiency, and spatial distribution of rural populations. The proportion of the rural population in relation to employment distribution across economic sectors and its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) are of critical importance to policymakers in both developed and developing nations. The research employs a descriptive–analytical method, utilizing reliable international data sources and global organizational statistics. The statistical population includes 51 Islamic countries , and the data are classified according to the characteristics and attributes of the study population within the research topic.
Findings- First, Islamic countries generally possess rural structures and youthful populations. Second, significant disparities exist in settlement and rural habitation patterns across Islamic countries. Approximately 60% of the rural population of Islamic countries reside in just six nations -Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt- whereas in six others- Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Djibouti, the Maldives, and Brunei Darussalam- the total rural population does not exceed one million people. Finally, the capacity for agricultural production and food security across Islamic countries is generally fragile. Twenty-six countries have less than 5% of arable land, and twenty-seven countries exhibit an average agricultural value-added of less than USD 5,000 per farmer, rendering them effectively food-insecure and dependent on imports.
