Analyzing the Problems of agricultural cooperatives in Iran: qualitative meta-synthesis of scientific articles

Authors

1 PhD student in Economic Sociology and Development, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.

2 Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences Dr. Ali Shariati, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Associate Professor, Department of History, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22059/jrd.2024.369788.668835

Abstract

Agricultural cooperatives in Iran have always been influential in local and regional development. Despite the formation of agricultural cooperatives with different issues in the country, the mentioned cooperatives are facing many problems. Examining the problems of agricultural cooperatives will be effective in solving their problems and providing practical suggestions. The purpose of this research was to summarize the problems of agricultural cooperatives in Iran.
The qualitative meta-synthesis method was employed to conduct this study. All articles published in reliable scientific databases from 2001 to 2023 in English and Farsi regarding agricultural cooperatives in Iran were qualitatively analyzed. Ultimately, 17 articles were chosen, with 6 articles in English and 11 articles in Persian.
The results of the research showed that a group of problems are external and general that may be faced by other organizations and commercial companies. These problems include specialized activities, human resources, economic and financial issues, and management problems of cooperatives. Another category of agricultural cooperative issues pertains to internal issues that are associated with the specific structure of cooperatives. Consequently, there is a significant disparity between the current state of official agricultural cooperatives in Iran and the established structure, principles, and goals.
Agricultural cooperatives are an imported phenomenon that were not formed along the lines of traditional cooperatives and based on the needs of members. Considering the importance and necessity of adapting the structure of agricultural cooperatives to the native and local conditions of the rural and agricultural society of Iran, it is suggested to revise the structure and laws related to cooperatives to solve the problems of agricultural cooperatives.

Keywords

References

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Community Development (Rural and Urban)
Volume 16, Issue 1 - Serial Number 30
October 2024
Pages 127-144

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