Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Journal of Studies in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Agricultural Development 2821-0972 11 4 2024 11 21 Formulating an Entrepreneurial Development Model for Female Heads of Household in Mashhad Formulating an Entrepreneurial Development Model for Female Heads of Household in Mashhad 1 24 7112 10.22069/jead.2024.22753.1850 FA Vahideh Nikonam Tousi Department of Women and Family, University of Religions and Religions, Qom, Iran. Seyed Rasoul Hosseini Educational Management Department, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran. Behrouz Hadadi Department of Abrahamic Religions, University of Religions and Religions, Qom, Iran. Mansoureh Zarean Mansoureh Zarean, Department of Social Sciences and population Studies, Women's Research Center, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2024 08 25 Despite the increasing attention to women's entrepreneurship, there has been limited success in the development of entrepreneurial opportunities for this group. This study aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing the entrepreneurial development of female heads of household in Mashhad. The research is applied in nature, with the statistical population comprising academic and organizational experts in the field of urban and rural women's entrepreneurship. A total of 20 participants were purposefully selected. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was performed using a grounded theory approach, consisting of three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Results were analyzed with MAXQDA2020 software and presented in the form of a paradigmatic model. Based on the findings, 228 categories derived from the interviews were coded, and after a final review during the axial coding phase, 85 final codes were established. The average frequency of items in the interviews was approximately 11 categories (54%) over a duration of 65.02 minutes. The results indicated that five factors significantly influence the development of entrepreneurship among female heads of household in Mashhad: supportive legislation for women’s entrepreneurship, provision of specific facilities, access to essential resources and infrastructure, family support, and social values and norms regarding women. Accordingly, key recommendations for improving the entrepreneurial development of female heads of household include conducting training and empowerment courses accompanied by counseling, establishing community-based financial support funds, reforming supportive legal and institutional structures, facilitating the production of strategic products, and their subsequent market supply. Despite the increasing attention to women's entrepreneurship, there has been limited success in the development of entrepreneurial opportunities for this group. This study aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing the entrepreneurial development of female heads of household in Mashhad. The research is applied in nature, with the statistical population comprising academic and organizational experts in the field of urban and rural women's entrepreneurship. A total of 20 participants were purposefully selected. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was performed using a grounded theory approach, consisting of three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. Results were analyzed with MAXQDA2020 software and presented in the form of a paradigmatic model. Based on the findings, 228 categories derived from the interviews were coded, and after a final review during the axial coding phase, 85 final codes were established. The average frequency of items in the interviews was approximately 11 categories (54%) over a duration of 65.02 minutes. The results indicated that five factors significantly influence the development of entrepreneurship among female heads of household in Mashhad: supportive legislation for women’s entrepreneurship, provision of specific facilities, access to essential resources and infrastructure, family support, and social values and norms regarding women. Accordingly, key recommendations for improving the entrepreneurial development of female heads of household include conducting training and empowerment courses accompanied by counseling, establishing community-based financial support funds, reforming supportive legal and institutional structures, facilitating the production of strategic products, and their subsequent market supply. https://jead.gau.ac.ir/article_7112_fb057e1f36182a82958adcfb049b2d53.pdf