Identification and Prioritization of Sociological and Institutional Barriers to Rural Economic Development in Mazandaran Province Using the Delphi Method

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Somayeh Bagerinia Amiri

Seyed Ahmad Jafari Kelarijani

Asadollah Mehrara

Mohammad Hassan Shaki

Shayesteh Varedi

QaS. C., Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran.

10.22067/jrrp.v15i4.2608-1183

Abstract

Purpose- Rural economic development is fundamental to balanced regional growth and reducing spatial inequalities, requiring integrated attention to economic, social, and institutional dimensions. Despite substantial natural and human resources, rural areas of Mazandaran Province face persistent structural challenges. Many of these constraints stem from sociological and institutional factors that have not been systematically identified or prioritized. This study aims to identify, categorize, and prioritize the sociological and institutional barriers affecting rural economic development in Mazandaran Province.
Design/methodology/approach- This applied, exploratory qualitative study employed the Delphi technique. The participants included 18 expert’s university faculty in development sociology, economics, and rural planning, along with specialists from executive rural development agencies and local managers selected through purposive sampling based on expertise and regional experience. Data were collected in three rounds: initial identification of barriers through semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires; evaluation of their importance using a Likert-scale questionnaire; and final prioritization through controlled feedback to achieve consensus. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance.
Findings- Barriers were classified into four dimensions: economic, social, cultural, and institutional. Major economic constraints included weak production and marketing infrastructure, limited access to financial resources, and reliance on traditional sectors. Social barriers involved declining social capital, youth outmigration, and weak participation. Cultural obstacles included conservative attitudes toward entrepreneurship and weak innovation culture. Institutional barriers such as centralized decision-making, bureaucratic complexity, poor inter-agency coordination, and ineffective support policies were identified as the most influential. Prioritization results indicated that institutional and social barriers exert the strongest impact on slowing rural economic development.
Originality/value- Sustainable rural development in Mazandaran Province requires addressing interconnected institutional and social weaknesses alongside economic reforms. Strengthening social capital, improving local governance, reducing bureaucracy, enhancing institutional coordination, and promoting rural entrepreneurship are essential to accelerating economic development.

Keywords

Rural Economic Development

Sociological Barriers

Institutional Factors

Delphi Method

Mazandaran Province

Subjects

• Rural Studies

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