Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, University of Tehran, Karaj
2
PHD student, , University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
3
Professor, Department of Agricultural Department of Agricultural Extocsion and Education, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
4
Professor of Agricultural Extension and Education Department, Faculty of Economics and Agricultural Development, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
10.22059/ijaedr.2023.349013.669180
Abstract
This study was conducted with the aim of identifying the market development structures for organic products. In this connection, having employed a mixed (i.e. qualitative-quantitative) method, this research endeavors to identify the factors influencing the development of organic products market from the standpoints of the professionals and experts in the line of organic products in Tehran province in order to take steps ahead toward the development of markets for such products. The research method was qualitative content analysis, in which 21 professionals and authorities of the subject matter concerned were interviewed with semi-structured, in-depth method up to the point of theoretical saturation, selected through the use of theoretical and goal-oriented sampling methods. The qualitative data analysis (carried out by means of MAXQDA12 software program) resulted in 119 codes and 4 categories of the development factors for organic products market, composed of facilitation and support factors (29 codes), foundational factors (19 codes), propelling factors (25 codes), and finally, forerunner and shaping factors (46 codes). Meanwhile, in the quantitative area, confirmatory factor analysis was employed with the PLS-SEM partial least square method via using Smart PLS3.2.8 software program so as to validate the research experimental model. The population of the research consisted authorities, managers, professional experts working in the sector of organic products market. A number of 135 individuals of them – who were all-out engaged in the line of organic products market – were identified by census method (both in public and private sectors) in Tehran Province, out of whom an number of 98 people were selected in simple random sampling method with the use of Morgan and Kerjesy tables. The data were collected through the use of a research-made questionnaire based on the results of the qualitative part with a 5-point Likert scale, namely ranging from “very poor” up to “excellent”. The face validity and discriminant validity of the questionnaire were and analyzed by smart PLS3 and SPSS22 applications while its reliability was examined and approved by means of Cronbach's alpha and Composite Reliability. Based on the viewpoints of the managers, professional experts and authorities of the subject matter concerned, the results demonstrated that various structures in the experimental model of the research are valid and feasible for execution in Tehran province. According to the results, the influential factors in the development of organic products market consist of “branding” and “publicity” factors in the forerunner structure, “Government’s political eagerness” factor in foundational structure, “giving consultancy services” factor in the support and planning structure and eventually, “protecting private sector” as the most pivotal factor of the propelling structure.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)