Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal of Research and Rural Planning 2783-2791 15 2 2026 06 01 Exploring the Drivers of Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on the Development of Technological Entrepreneurship (Case Study: Rural Areas of Shemiranat County) 1 19 48374 10.22067/jrrp.v15i2.2606-1167 EN Aliakbar Anabestani Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0003-1461-5893 Behnaz Rahimi Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2026 04 08 Purpose- Technological advancements, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), are transforming modern business models and fostering technological entrepreneurship. While AI offers significant potential for sustainable development in rural areas through increased productivity and innovation, these regions often benefit less due to weak digital infrastructure and institutional constraints. This study aims to identify and analyze the key drivers of AI's impact on the development of technological entrepreneurship in the rural areas of Shemiranat County. Design/methodology/approach- This applied research employs a descriptive-analytical approach and a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) design. Data collection involved documentary studies and fieldwork. In the qualitative phase, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 18 experts selected via purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis with open, axial, and selective coding. In the quantitative phase, the causal relationships among the identified drivers were analyzed using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and MICMAC software. The research was conducted in the rural areas of Shemiranat County in 2025. Finding- The analysis identified 18 key drivers, categorized into five groups: technological, economic, social, policy-related, and environmental. Results indicate that AI can effectively contribute to rural socio-economic sustainability by enhancing productivity, creating innovative employment opportunities, and strengthening environmental resilience. Key challenges include a gap between physical access to technology and commercial utilization, low digital literacy, and a lack of supportive legal frameworks tailored for rural micro-businesses. Practical Implications- To leverage AI for rural technological entrepreneurship, policymakers should prioritize: 1) expanding high-speed internet and digital infrastructure; 2) establishing rural-focused innovation centers and accelerators; 3) developing supportive policies including low-interest loans and tax exemptions for AI-based ventures; and 4) implementing targeted training programs to enhance digital literacy and practical AI skills among local communities. These actions will help bridge the existing digital divide and translate infrastructure into productive economic outcomes. Originality/value– This research is novel in its comprehensive and systemic analysis of drivers for AI-based technological entrepreneurship in Iranian rural areas. By employing a mixed-method approach combined with ISM and MICMAC structural analysis, it moves beyond simple descriptive studies to identify causal and hierarchical relationships among the drivers. The study provides a contextualized framework for policymakers, highlighting the foundational role of government support and digital infrastructure in fostering a dynamic and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural regions.

https://jrrp.um.ac.ir/article_48374_2a202546a9f78b3320773a9f3c44ea4c.pdf

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal of Research and Rural Planning 2783-2791 15 2 2026 06 01 A Comparative Analysis of the Legal Mechanisms for Determining the Registration Status of Lands and Buildings Lacking Official Title Deeds in Iranian and German Law, with Emphasis on the Institutional Efficiency of the Land Registration System 21 42 48467 10.22067/jrrp.v15i2.2602-1160 EN Majid Jadidi Da. C, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran 0009-0002-0407-5176 Mahdi Zolfaghari Da. C, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran. 0000-0001-5051-4964 Ahmadreza Behniafar Da. C, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran. 0000-0001-8799-1502 Journal Article 2026 04 18 Purpose- The registration status of lands and buildings lacking official title deeds constitutes a significant challenge for land governance, ownership security, and the efficiency of registration systems. This study aims to examine the legal mechanisms for determining the registration status of undocumented properties through a comparative analysis of Iranian and German legal systems, with particular emphasis on the institutional efficiency of land registration mechanisms and the assurance of tenure security. Design/methodology/approach- This research employs a descriptive-analytical method with a comparative legal approach. Data were collected through library-based research, including the analysis of statutory provisions, jurisprudential principles, legal doctrines, and institutional structures governing land registration in Iran and Germany. The study focuses on the mechanisms adopted by each legal system for formalizing ownership, correcting registration deficiencies, and balancing legal certainty with the need to resolve undocumented property situations. Findings- Iran adopts a facilitative, corrective approach influenced by Imami jurisprudence, recognizing possessory evidence and enabling integration of informal properties into formal registration systems. Germany emphasizes registration conclusiveness, public reliance on the Grundbuch, and preventive legal certainty, applying restrictive mechanisms for registration corrections while ensuring stronger transactional predictability. The comparative analysis reveals that institutional efficiency requires balancing ownership formalization flexibility with registration reliability. Iran demonstrates greater adaptive capacity for historically accumulated informal ownership, while Germany provides superior informational coherence and third-party protection. Research limitations/implications- This study is limited to a comparative doctrinal analysis of the legal frameworks of Iran and Germany and does not include empirical assessments of administrative performance or quantitative evaluation of registration outcomes. Future research may incorporate field studies and comparative institutional assessments to examine the practical effectiveness of registration reforms. Originality/value- This research contributes to comparative property law by analyzing the relationship between mechanisms for formalizing undocumented properties and institutional efficiency. It demonstrates that effective registration systems require balanced approaches combining procedural flexibility with registration certainty, providing insights for improving registration governance while maintaining compatibility with jurisprudential foundations.

https://jrrp.um.ac.ir/article_48467_3659943c93a11347e91c430725613c9a.pdf

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal of Research and Rural Planning 2783-2791 15 2 2026 06 01 Economic Development and Rural Employment Generation Program in North Khorasan Province (Case Study: Azari Rural District, Esfarayen County) 43 66 48496 10.22067/jrrp.v15i2.2606-1166 EN Hoseein Ghodrati Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran. 0000-0002-6758-0789 Masoud Samian Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran. 0000-0002-6829-1647 Journal Article 2026 06 06 Purpose- This study was conducted with the aim of developing a structured and practical program for economic development and employment generation in the rural areas of Azari Rural District, located in Esfarayen County, North Khorasan Province. Design/methodology/approach- The present study adopted a mixed-methods approach (quantitative–qualitative). Parts of the research were based on the positivist paradigm and employed quantitative methods relying on numerical and statistical data. Demographic analyses and statistical data collected in the fields of economics, water resources, agriculture, and social dimensions represent this approach. In addition, considering that the primary and ultimate objective of this study was to formulate an economic development and employment generation program for the 23 villages of Azari Rural District in the Central District of Esfarayen County, a qualitative approach was also employed using open-ended and face-to-face interviews. The statistical population consisted of all 23 villages of Azari Rural District in the Central District of Esfarayen County, and the study was conducted using a census method. Finding- Based on the collected data, agricultural value chains particularly in livestock farming and animal husbandry, as well as the honey production value chain were identified as having the greatest impact on the local economy, livelihoods, and rural employment generation in the study area. Supply chains, or value-creation systems for regional products, constitute interconnected networks of processes designed to provide goods and services. These systems encompass suppliers, producers, distributors, and sellers who collaborate in an integrated manner to enhance customer satisfaction. In essence, supply chain management establishes coordination among production, inventory, location allocation, and transportation processes among stakeholders involved in a product in order to achieve the optimal balance between responsiveness and efficiency for market success. Based on this framework, the supply chain or value-creation process for rural products can be analyzed at three levels. The first level comprises the production links themselves, including required inputs, input provision, production, processing, and marketing. The second level includes the actors and stakeholders involved in the chain, such as governmental institutions, private organizations and enterprises, farmers and local industrial actors, groups of elites and entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and other public organizations. The third level examines the activities carried out within each production link by these stakeholders.

https://jrrp.um.ac.ir/article_48496_5261961cfcb904628f54edd0c5f9739f.pdf

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal of Research and Rural Planning 2783-2791 15 2 2026 06 01 Analyzing the Phenomenon of Kolbari and Identifying the Potential for Developing Alternative Economic Activities in Rural Areas (Case Study: Sarkol and Zrivar Rural Districts, Marivan County) 67 94 48518 10.22067/jrrp.v15i2.2510-1148 EN Saadi Mohammadi Payame Noor university, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-8541-4135 Freyedon Ahmadi Payame Noor university, Tehran, Iran Shavbo Karimi Payame Noor university, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 24 Purpose- Kolbari (informal cross-border goods carrying) and cross-border smuggling in the rural areas of Marivan County constitute a multidimensional crisis that not only undermines the region's economic and social security but also extends its adverse impacts to the political, environmental, and food security domains, thereby generating long-term structural challenges. Design/methodology/approach- This study employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design (qualitative–quantitative). In the qualitative phase, the grounded theory approach, supported by semi-structured interviews, was used to comprehensively explore the security and social dimensions and consequences of Kolbari. Participants were selected purposively from three principal groups: rural Kolbars, county development officials, and local experts, including academic specialists in regional development as well as individuals with extensive knowledge and practical experience regarding Kolbari. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-developed questionnaire was designed and validated through expert assessment of content validity. The instrument demonstrated satisfactory reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87. Findings- The findings reveal that Kolbari, through 65 identified adverse variables, contributes to five major security challenges: weakened political–military security, environmental–physical security, social security, economic security, and food security. Collectively, these challenges lead to persistent and long-term security vulnerabilities within the region. Furthermore, the correlation analysis indicated that two key variables—educational attainment and the proportion of young rural population—are significantly associated with the emergence and persistence of Kolbari. Specifically, educational attainment exhibited a significant negative relationship with the phenomenon, whereas the proportion of young rural population showed a significant positive relationship. Practical Implications- Based on the research findings, an innovative three-tier strategic model was developed to reduce Kolbari and establish sustainable regional security. At the first level, the model emphasizes economic empowerment through the development of sustainable non-agricultural enterprises, particularly in handicrafts, rural tourism, and green technologies. At the second level, it advocates strengthening social capital through targeted education and enhanced participation of rural youth in local development processes. At the third level, it highlights the establishment and improvement of security infrastructure to reinforce border security and reduce the risks associated with cross-border smuggling. Originality/Value- The principal contribution of this study lies in integrating a grounded theory-based mixed-methods approach with correlation analysis to develop a comprehensive, multidimensional, and context-specific model for Marivan County. By identifying the complex causal relationships among security, social, and economic variables, the proposed framework provides practical and implementable recommendations for development agencies, planners, and security institutions.

https://jrrp.um.ac.ir/article_48518_ef41987246843c2a90083b63504be497.pdf

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal of Research and Rural Planning 2783-2791 15 2 2026 06 01 Ranking the Drivers of Agricultural Machinery Maintenance Costs and Their Impacts on Rural Economic Sustainability in Western Iran 95 130 48543 10.22067/jrrp.v15i2.2507-1172 EN Khalil Jaidari Qa, C., Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran. 0009-0001-0550-3243 Sadegh Feizollahi Il, C., Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran. 0009-0000-4051-7950 Alireza Irajpour Qa, C., Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran. 0009-0003-2666-7233 Journal Article 2026 06 09 Purpose- This study aims to identify and rank the key drivers affecting agricultural machinery maintenance and repair costs and to examine their implications for strengthening the economic sustainability of rural areas in western Iran. Design/methodology/approach- This study employs a mixed-methods research design integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches. In the qualitative phase, a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with 24 agricultural mechanization experts were conducted to identify and validate the main factors influencing maintenance and repair costs. In the quantitative phase, real maintenance records of 80 agricultural machines operating in the provinces of Kermanshah, Ilam, and Kurdistan were collected over a three-year period, resulting in 240 machine-year observations. The Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was then applied to model the relationship between explanatory variables and maintenance costs and to rank the relative importance of factors based on the Gain criterion. Findings- The findings demonstrate that maintenance and repair costs are influenced by the simultaneous interaction of technical, managerial, operational, human, and environmental factors. The XGBoost model achieved satisfactory predictive performance on the testing dataset, with an R² value of 0.86, RMSE of 39.4 million IRR, and MAE of 28.7 million IRR. The feature importance analysis revealed that machine age (18.9%), lack of preventive maintenance implementation (17.2%), and unfavorable operating conditions (15.1%) were the three most influential determinants of maintenance and repair costs, jointly accounting for more than half of the model’s total importance. These findings indicate that machinery aging, insufficient maintenance planning, and improper operating practices represent the primary sources of increased maintenance expenditures. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that effective preventive maintenance programs, improved maintenance management systems, optimized spare parts management, and enhanced operator practices can reduce life-cycle machinery costs and contribute to rural economic sustainability. Research limitations/implications- This study is limited by the geographical scope of the investigated provinces and the availability of historical maintenance records from agricultural machinery. Future research may expand the analysis to other regions and incorporate larger longitudinal datasets, economic variables, and advanced predictive approaches to further improve the understanding of machinery maintenance cost dynamics. Originality/value- This study contributes to the agricultural mechanization and rural sustainability literature by integrating expert-based knowledge, real machine-year maintenance records, and machine-learning techniques within a unified analytical framework. Unlike previous studies that mainly relied on conventional statistical methods or examined individual factors separately, this research applies the XGBoost algorithm to quantify the relative importance of maintenance cost drivers and links machinery maintenance management with rural economic sustainability.

https://jrrp.um.ac.ir/article_48543_7a770b232ea56afe9641bb93fb3c2c6b.pdf

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad Journal of Research and Rural Planning 2783-2791 15 2 2026 06 01 Assessing Elderly Tourists’ Satisfaction Based on Infrastructural, Social, and Environmental Factors Using Structural Equation Modeling (Case Study: Khabr, Baft County) 131 148 48562 10.22067/jrrp.v15i2.2512-1155 EN Mehri Jahansoozi University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran. 0009-0005-1130-6560 Neda Dehghani University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran. Journal Article 2026 05 15 Purpose- Population aging has increased the importance of senior tourism as a distinct and growing segment of the tourism market. However, elderly tourists may have specific requirements related to accessibility, social interaction, safety, comfort, and environmental quality. This study aims to examine the relationships between infrastructural, social, and environmental dimensions and elderly tourists’ satisfaction and to assess these relationships within an integrated structural framework in Khabr District, Baft County, Kerman Province, Iran. Design/methodology/approach- The study employed an applied, quantitative, descriptive-analytical research design. The statistical population consisted of elderly tourists aged 60 years and above, with the individual tourist serving as the unit of analysis. Data were collected from 375 elderly tourists through a structured questionnaire using random sampling. The measurement model comprised three latent constructs—infrastructural, social, and environmental dimensions—measured through nine observed indicators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The reliability and validity of the measurement model were assessed using standardized factor loadings, Composite Reliability (CR), Average Variance Extracted (AVE), and discriminant validity. Findings- The results demonstrated that all three dimensions had positive and statistically significant relationships with elderly tourists’ satisfaction. The social dimension showed the strongest effect (β = 0.38, C.R. = 5.76, P < 0.001), followed by the infrastructural dimension (β = 0.31, C.R. = 4.82, P < 0.001) and the environmental dimension (β = 0.24, C.R. = 3.91, P < 0.001). Originality/Value- The findings indicate that elderly tourists’ satisfaction is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by the interaction of social, infrastructural, and environmental conditions. The study’s originality lies in integrating these three dimensions into a unified SEM framework rather than examining them independently. The findings provide empirical support for age-sensitive tourism planning and suggest that developing senior-friendly destinations requires coordinated attention to social participation, accessible infrastructure, and safe, clean, and attractive environments.

https://jrrp.um.ac.ir/article_48562_d4aa3819fa81ce7edefa6cd564645656.pdf