FORMULATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS AGRICULTURAL EXPLOITATION SYSTEMS THROUGH ANALYTICAL HIERARCHICAL PROCESS (AHP)

ABSTRACT Goal of current descriptive research is explaining the sustainability indicators of agricultural exploitation systems in the Mazandaran province. Study instrument is questionnaire that is based on the analytic hierarchy process technique. It was confirmed by experts. The statistical population comprised of all professionals and experts working in the field of sustainability aspects and farming systems with a deep understanding and sufficient information on the issue being selected through purposive and snowball sampling summing up to 15 subjects. The results of the analysis of data show that criteria of ecological, policy and social respectively were the highest priority. Also, the results of the explaining the sustainability indicators of agricultural exploitation systems in the province indicated that applying indicator of integrated and biological projects was identified as the most important indicator. Systematic use of basic resources, maintaining biodiversity, use of biological inputs, less use of chemical toxins, prevent fragmentation of lands, marketing and sales of products, farmers responsibility and affordable of production as important indicators identified for sustainability of crop farming systems in the Mazandaran province that were ranked respectively in next rank. Therefore, it can be concluded that mentioned indicators are as basic indicators for sustainability of agricultural exploitation systems

Identification of Appropriate Strategies to Improve and Develop Private Agricultural Extension System: A Study in Mazandaran Province, Iran

In many countries, private sector provision of agricultural extension services is recognized as a key factor in the process of agricultural development. Insufficient attention to the private agricultural extension system in Iran, despite its relative success, has made it imperative to explore and identify appropriate strategies to improve and develop its activities. The statistical population of the present study consisted of 40 knowledgeable and experienced experts of agricultural consultation and technical service firms as a sample of private extension systems in Iran. The research used the SWOT and TOWS methods as the basis for the AHP technique known as the hybrid A’WOT method. In the first step of the research, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of these firms were evaluated. The results of the first step were used to extract 11 strategies by the TOWS diagram. In the second step, to identify the most appropriate strategies to improve the performance of private extension firms, 12 experienced experts were sampled from the research population by the snowball technique. The research instrument was two questionnaires whose validity were determined by face and content validation methods and whose reliability were estimated by Cronbach’s alpha and inconsistency ratio strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were assessed in the first step. Then, TOWS was employed to develop 11 strategies. In the second step of the research, the AHP technique was used to identify the most appropriate strategies. The ranking of the strategies revealed that the strategies “financial support of firms and farmers in order to lay the ground for the privatization of agricultural activities” and “orienting the attitudes of the policymakers and managers of the public sector towards the role of private extension activities” were the most important strategies to improve and develop these firms in Mazandaran province, so they should be considered by the officials

How does Identity Theory contribute to the Continuance Use of E-learning: The mediating role of Inertia and moderating role of computer Self-efficacy

Despite e-learning’s rapid growth and significant benefits, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, retaining students in this educational environment is a critical challenge in the post-corona era. Therefore, our research was conducted to explore how we can promote the continuance use of e-learning (CUEL) platforms. More specifically, this study examines how identity, inertia, and computer self-efficacy affect CUEL. Data were collected from 384 users and provided support for the model. The results indicated that social identity, relational identity, and inertia are critical determinants of CUEL. Furthermore, inertia mediates the relation between social identity and CUEL. In addition, we found that computer self-efficacy moderates the relation of inertia and relational identity with CUEL, but its moderating effect on the influence of social identity and CUEL is not supported. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed.</p