The Effect of Social Capital Variables on Entrepreneurial Behavior of Strawberry Growers in Sarvabad, Kordestan

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social capital and entrepreneurial behavior of strawberry farmers. The study was a descriptive - correlational one. The research population was comprised of the strawberry farmers in the Sarvabad city of Kordestan (N = 193). Sample size, according to Kerjcie & Morgan table (1970) was determined to be 127 persons, selected by Simple Random Sampling method. A questionnaire was designed by the authors to gather the needed data for the study. The questionnaire validity was verified by a selected panel of experts. The reliability test was performed, Cronbach's alpha being achieved as 0.87 for either of the social capital or entrepreneurial section of the questionnaire. The results indicated a positive and significant correlation between components of social capital variables (level of value devotion to life, sense of security and trust, participation in local communities, business links and the tendency to accept differences) as well as the entrepreneurial behavioral variables. Multivariate regression analysis determined that such variables as devotion of value to life, feeling of trust and participation in local activities altogether explained 40 percent of variability in entrepreneurial behavior.