Prioritizing the Aspects of Setting up a Rural Business from the Perspective of Rural Development Activists based on Dimtel Network Analysis (Case study: Northern Bar Andoz Village, Urmia County)

Rural development is one of the important priorities of the macro-development plan, especially in developing countries. In order to achieve it, rural businesses are considered as the most important element of the rural economy and a tool for economic and social growth. Rural businesses cause the villagers to stay in the village, create jobs, and reduce unemployment. Increasing income and productivity, revitalizing traditional jobs, etc. are the other impacts of rural businesses. In this regard, the current research was conducted with the aim of identifying and prioritizing the influential components in setting up rural businesses. The statistical population consisted of 133 experts in the field of rural business in Urmia County. Based on the table of Krejcie and Morgan, 97 cases were selected as a statistical sample. The data collection was based on a questionnaire containing the components extracted from the review of the research background in the form of a pairwise comparison matrix. To analyze the data, a network analysis method based on Dimtel approach was used. The results showed that the most effective variables for rural business were “availability of raw materials”, “appropriate financing”, “existence of suitable environmental conditions”, “governmental supportive policies”, “investment security”, and “innovation and creativity”. According to the findings form investigation of mutual and intra-network effects between the variables and indicators of stablishing a rural business, priority should be given to socio-cultural, economic, institutional, and natural indices, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested to give priority to the areas of creating self-confidence, creative thinking, and empowerment of villagers through proper training. Effective measures such as tax exemptions, granting banking facilities, etc. should be taken to increase savings and investment power of villagers in rural businesses. Physical, communication, and public infrastructures should also be provided for the villagers. Finally, the natural conditions governing the region should be taken into account in order to use the resources properly.