Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Arid and Mountainous Areas Rehabilitation, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
3
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4
Rural Development Studies Center, Natural Disasters Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
5
Social Business Institute, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction: Social capital plays a significant role as a key factor in enhancing effective governance and sustainable development in rural communities. Additionally, microcredit funds have been introduced as one of the strategies to emphasize social capital in rural sustainable development projects. Therefore, assessing the impact of development and progress initiatives in rural areas, with a focus on enhancing the social capital of microcredit fund members, is of great importance. Hence, the present study examines the role of social capital among members of rural microcredit funds in the target areas of the rural development and improvement plan in Bakharz County's rural systems, utilizing social network analysis. The primary aim of this study is to identify the impacts of social capital on social relationships, local participation, and changes in governance regimes across four villages in Bakharz County.
Materials and methods: The present study is a survey-based research that involves the collection of field data. Social network analysis was employed to examine the relationships among the local community members of microcredit funds in four villages: Arzaneh, Qaleh Now Aliyah, Nasratabad, and Nobahar Gholaman in the Bakharz County. İt also evaluate their social capital before and after the implementation of the rural development and improvement plan in the county (2023 and 2024). Data were collected through structured network analysis questionnaires, and sampling was carried out using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table, resulting in a total sample size of 181 individuals. Subsequently, the UCINET6 network analysis software was used to calculate macro-level network metrics, including network density, network centralization, reciprocity, link transitivity, and average geodesic distance. To analyze the dynamics of the land governance regime before and after the implementation of the rural development and improvement plan, two metrics- density and centralization- were used, and the governance regimes were identified and analyzed.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that increasing social capital leads to improved social relationships and resilience of local communities. The findings indicate age and gender diversity in the studied communities, where the presence of young populations can be considered an advantage for social and economic development. However, gender inequalities and the lack of women's participation in development activities can pose serious challenges for good land governance in these communities. The increase in the network density index and the decrease in the average geodesic distance in this study indicate improved social conditions and increased information flow speed in rural networks after the implementation of the Abadani project and the advancement of rural systems, which helps the entry of new knowledge and innovation. Additionally, the change in the governance regime from a centralized, uncoordinated state to a multi-center system showed better power distribution and increased cohesion in the community. Identifying key actors in social networks and strengthening their cooperation can also improve the social and economic performance of communities and lead to a more effective transition towards good governance. These findings emphasize that social capital is a fundamental factor in improving governance and reducing social inequalities.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that increased social capital following the implementation of the rural development and improvement plan in Bakharz County's four studied villages has not only contributed to improved governance but could also serve as a suitable model for other rural areas. Therefore, it is recommended that developmental programs in rural regions focus more on strengthening social capital to achieve good and sustainable land governance. Furthermore, the transition from a centralized governance regime to a polycentric one—recognized as the most efficient form of governance—stands out as one of the significant achievements of implementing the rural development plan due to enhanced participatory culture and power distribution among rural communities facilitated by microcredit funds. Special attention to empowering women and youth can further improve the social and economic conditions within these communities.
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