نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 استادیار پژوهشی، گروه پژوهشی مدیریت کلان بخش کشاورزی، موسسه پژوهشهای برنامهریزی، اقتصاد کشاورزی و توسعهی روستایی، تهران، ایران
2 استادیار پژوهشی، گروه پژوهشی سیاستهای کشاورزی و غذا، موسسه پژوهشهای برنامهریزی، اقتصاد کشاورزی و توسعهی روستایی، تهران، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Background and Purpose: National policy documents, including the Seventh Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasize sustainable employment generation, the empowerment of rural women, and the strengthening of local economic infrastructures. Despite these policy priorities, the effectiveness of existing local markets has been constrained by structural inefficiencies, weak marketing systems, inadequate infrastructure, and limited institutional coordination. Given their substantial contribution to local economies, local markets are considered a key instrument for rural development. Nevertheless, the establishment and expansion of local markets for rural and nomadic women in Iran continue to face significant challenges. This situation highlights the need to identify the barriers and enabling factors affecting market development and to formulate effective operational strategies. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the challenges associated with the establishment and development of local markets for micro-enterprises and cooperatives operated by rural and nomadic women in Iran.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive–analytical research design was employed, with SWOT analysis serving as the primary analytical framework. Data were collected through documentary and library research, complemented by a field survey using a researcher-developed questionnaire. The study population comprised 38 experts, including university faculty members, researchers, and specialists from relevant governmental organizations, of whom 26 participated in the survey. Internal and external factors were weighted and evaluated using the Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) and External Factor Evaluation (EFE) matrices.
Findings: The results indicated that the total internal factor score was 2.43, with weaknesses (1.265) slightly outweighing strengths (1.165), reflecting relatively unfavorable internal conditions. Conversely, the total external factor score was 2.54 (opportunities = 1.457; threats = 1.085), indicating a comparatively favorable external environment. Based on the Internal–External (IE) matrix, local markets were positioned within the conservative (WO) strategic quadrant, with a composite score of 2.72. This finding suggests that policy interventions should primarily focus on mitigating internal weaknesses while capitalizing on existing external opportunities. The analysis identified several priority strategies for the establishment and expansion of local markets, including improving service provision and infrastructure, enhancing marketing capabilities and community participation, strengthening digital and virtual marketplaces, reducing intermediary dominance, improving site-selection processes, and addressing resistance to innovation and change. Furthermore, the study revealed several promising external opportunities, such as increasing urban demand for indigenous and healthy products, supportive national policies promoting local economic development, and the growing potential of rural tourism.
Conclusion: The effective utilization of these opportunities remains limited by inadequate physical and digital infrastructure, insufficient investment, weak managerial and marketing competencies among rural women, and the continued influence of profit-oriented intermediaries. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of adopting a participatory, cross-sectoral, and phased approach to local market development. Context-specific planning, targeted infrastructure investments, comprehensive women's empowerment initiatives, strengthened cooperative structures, and a transition in the government's role from direct intervention to facilitation and oversight are identified as critical prerequisites for the successful establishment, sustainability, and effectiveness of local markets in fostering balanced rural and nomadic development.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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