Assessing the Process of Power Distribution and Redistribution in Modern Management (A Case Study of the Rural Settlements of Zobarkhan County, Razavi Khorasan Province)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. student of Geography and Rural Planning, University of Sistan and Baluchistan, Zahedan, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Planning, University of Sistan and Baluchistan, Zahedan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

In developing countries, the sustainable development of rural areas has evolved under the influence of spatial paradigms such as globalization, industrialization, and urbanization. These transformations have laid the foundation for the formulation of strategies, goals, and policies underpinning rural development projects (Li et al., 2021: 279). Since the 1970s, rural development initiatives have primarily aimed to improve living standards and alleviate poverty. In the 1980s, with the rise of the concept of sustainable development, new dimensions emerged in environmental, economic, socio-cultural, and physical (infrastructural) indicators of rural growth (Moradi Meshii & Talebi, 2017: 166). Among the multiple aspects of sustainable rural development, the social dimension—encompassing political, cultural, and security components—has been instrumental in promoting democracy and fostering the creation of local associations and institutions. For instance, within the subcomponents of political stability and civic awareness, it can be observed that, following the Second World War, many governments moved toward administrative centralization while concurrently recognizing the importance of local organizations within governmental management systems (Abiyar et al., 2015: 160).
 

Methodology

This study aims to identify and evaluate the process of power distribution and transfer within the framework of modern rural management in the villages of Zabarkhan District, Razavi Khorasan Province. The research is applied in purpose and employs a descriptive–analytical method, utilizing both library (documentary) and field (questionnaire and observation) techniques for data collection. To assess the validity of the questionnaire, the instrument was reviewed by 12 experts in rural management and rural sociology. The experts’ feedback was used to refine the items and finalize the indicators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation) and inferential statistics (one-sample t test and analysis of variance). For ranking and classifying the villages based on the level of power distribution, the Marcus and Merrick models were applied. According to the 2023 (1402 SH) census, the total rural population of the study area is 28,771 people. Using Cochran’s formula with an error margin of 0.05, a sample size of 384 respondents was determined and proportionally distributed among the villages according to population to ensure equal selection opportunity (see Table 2). The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha in SPSS, showing a value of 0.878 for the indicators of power distribution and transfer processes—indicating satisfactory internal consistency for the research tool.
 

Findings

A total of 384 questionnaires were completed, evaluating six main indicators: personal and psychological (15 items), economic (12 items), social (16 items), physical (10 items), environmental (11 items), and institutional–managerial (12 items). Results from the one-sample t test indicated that all indicators of power distribution scored above the optimal threshold of 3, with statistically significant differences observed across all indicators (p < 0.05). The mean values were as follows: psychological = 3.49, physical = 3.26, institutional–managerial = 3.23, social = 3.21, economic = 3.11, and environmental–natural = 3.10—ranking from highest to lowest performance, respectively. The one-way ANOVA results further confirmed significant variation (p < 0.05) across villages in the process of power distribution and transfer under modern management. According to the Marcus ranking model, the best-performing villages were Dizbad Alia and Ahvan, while Daneh Kashfieh and Sakhder ranked lowest in terms of modern managerial power distribution.
 

Discussion and Conclusion

Modern rural management, introduced by developed nations and promoted by international development institutions, emerged as a response to the inefficiencies of earlier rural development approaches. Over recent decades, its importance has grown, particularly in developing countries, as a key mechanism for fostering effective governance and participatory development. Considering that more than three decades have passed since the adoption of modern rural management practices in Iran, assessing the degree to which its objectives have been realized is increasingly crucial. This study evaluated the process of power distribution and transfer within the modern rural management framework in the villages of Zabarkhan District, Razavi Khorasan, using both descriptive and inferential methods (one-sample t test, ANOVA, and Marcus–Merrick ranking). The findings indicated that, from respondents’ perspectives, the overall process of power distribution and transfer exceeded optimal levels across all measured indicators, with statistically significant differences confirming the robustness of this pattern. The highest mean scores were observed in the psychological (3.49), physical (3.26), and institutional–managerial (3.23) categories, while socioeconomic and environmental indicators followed closely behind. The ANOVA results also confirmed significant inter-village differences (p < 0.05). Finally, results from the Marcus ranking model revealed that Dizbad Alia and Ahvan villages achieved the strongest levels of power decentralization, whereas Daneh Kashfieh and Sakhder displayed the weakest. These findings underscore the unequal realization of modern management principles across local contexts. Strengthening local authority structures, enhancing managerial competence, and improving institutional mechanisms remain essential to achieving equitable and sustainable rural governance.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 04 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 04 February 2025

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