Village and Space Sustainable Development

Village and Space Sustainable Development

A Grounded Theory Approach to Technology-Based Businesses for Sustainable Rural Development: Evidence from Kermanshah Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
masoumeh ayeneh 1
Bijan Rezaee 2
Mahdi Hosseinpour 3
1 Ph.D Student of entrepreneurship, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Faculty of social, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Social Sciences, ‎Razi ‎University, Kermanshah, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of ‌Interdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of ‌Strategic ‌Technologies, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
10.22077/vssd.2026.10509.1346
Abstract
1. Introduction
Introduction: In the contemporary landscape of development, technology-based businesses act as ‎transformative engines, playing a vital role in advancing sustainable rural development goals by ‎offering innovative solutions. This key role is realized through effective mechanisms such as ‎increased productivity, sustainable job creation, and a meaningful enhancement of quality of life. ‎Within this context, achieving sustainable development in the villages of Kermanshah Province is ‎a strategic priority, contingent upon the creation and deployment of innovative business models ‎capable of simultaneously and harmoniously supporting the three pillars of economic, social, and ‎environmental sustainability. Given this necessity, technology-based businesses, with their unique ‎capabilities in creating employment opportunities, boosting productivity, and opening doors to ‎new markets, have emerged as pivotal actors in this arena. The present study, adopting a ‎grounded theory approach, is designed with the aim of discovering, formulating, and presenting ‎a comprehensive, indigenous, and operational model for this category of businesses. Relying on ‎authentic field data extracted from the specific and unique context of the villages in Kermanshah ‎Province, this model ultimately provides a strategic and executable framework for policymakers, ‎planners, and entrepreneurs. In the context of global digital economy transformations and the ‎necessity of focusing on the balanced development of rural areas, examining the role of ‎technology-based businesses in the sustainability of villages in Kermanshah Province is of ‎strategic importance. This section of the research delves deeper into analyzing how technology ‎influences various dimensions of sustainable rural development and aims to critically explore the ‎opportunities and challenges of this transformation within the region's specific geographical-‎cultural context.‎

2. Methodology
This study is applied in purpose and qualitative and exploratory in approach, conducted ‎inductively using the grounded theory method. The research population consisted of a spectrum ‎of experts and specialists, including faculty members from the Entrepreneurship and Information ‎and Communication Technology departments of Razi University and Islamic Azad University in ‎Kermanshah Province, key informants knowledgeable in the management of technology-based ‎businesses, successful entrepreneurs, and experienced heads of rural cooperatives. The sampling ‎process was conducted using theoretical, non-probability, judgmental, and purposive methods, ‎with its cessation contingent upon reaching theoretical saturation. This point was achieved after ‎‎17 interviews; however, to ensure greater confidence and enhance data credibility, three ‎additional interviews were conducted. The primary data collection tool was semi-structured, in-‎depth interviews with selected individuals, chosen based on their practical experience, scientific ‎expertise, sufficient knowledge, and deep familiarity with the research topic. The duration of ‎these interviews varied between 40 and 65 minutes. The data collection process, in accordance ‎with the principle of theoretical saturation, continued until the research categories were complete ‎and no new information was extracted in the final interviews, which itself served as evidence of ‎achieving saturation. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed following the Strauss ‎and Corbin approach through a three-stage coding process (open, axial, and selective), leading to ‎the formation of the initial research model. To ensure the validity and reliability of the questions ‎and data, techniques such as member checking and intra-subject agreement were used to ‎guarantee that the findings accurately reflected field realities. These methodological provisions ‎enhanced the trustworthiness of the research and laid the necessary groundwork for presenting a ‎comprehensive and practical model. This research was conducted during the period April to June ‎‎2024, and its theoretical foundations and empirical background formed the intellectual ‎framework governing all stages of design, implementation, and analysis.‎

3. Findings
The research findings indicate that in the final paradigmatic model, eight categories of factors ‎were identified as "Causal Conditions": economic, socio-cultural, infrastructural-technological, ‎political-governmental, environmental-geographical, educational-research, technical-innovative, ‎and communicative-network factors. Together, these factors transform technology-based ‎businesses into an essential and inevitable lever for the sustainable development of villages in ‎Kermanshah Province. The "Contextual Conditions" affecting this phenomenon include four ‎main domains: the physical and structural conditions of the villages, legal and ownership ‎frameworks, knowledge and information infrastructures, as well as historical backgrounds and ‎past experiences. Five categories of factors also act as "Intervening Conditions": the specific ‎conditions governing the regional innovation ecosystem, institutional-organizational conditions, ‎cognitive-behavioral conditions (attitudes and beliefs), adaptive conditions, and transformative ‎conditions. The "Core Phenomenon" of this model was determined to be "Technology-Based ‎Businesses in Sustainable Rural Development." In confronting this phenomenon and under the ‎influence of the aforementioned conditions, three main categories of "Strategies" are proposed: ‎human capital empowerment and development strategies, market and sales development ‎strategies, and technology-based product and service development strategies. Finally, the ‎successful implementation of these strategies within the specified context will lead to four major ‎categories of "Consequences": transformation in livelihood and economic patterns, the ‎emergence of new outcomes and institutions, the realization of achievements in the field of digital ‎health, and the occurrence of widespread transformations in education.‎

4. Discussion and Conclusion
In final summary, it can be emphasized that technology-based businesses, by intelligently ‎integrating innovation and modern technologies, possess tremendous potential to guide ‎sustainable transformation in the rural sphere. The functions of these businesses, including ‎improving access to digital markets, increasing agricultural productivity, developing clean ‎energy, and creating new job opportunities, not only strengthen the local economy and increase ‎the resilience of rural communities but also act as an effective factor in reducing rural migration ‎and preserving and protecting the environment. Accordingly, comprehensive support and ‎planning for strengthening these businesses can be considered a key and pioneering strategy on ‎the path to achieving balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development for rural areas. To ‎accelerate the development of technology-based businesses in the villages of Kermanshah ‎Province, it is proposed to establish rural innovation centers focused on local needs. These centers ‎should provide technical and financial advisory services and conduct training courses in digital ‎skills for villagers. Furthermore, developing digital infrastructure, including improving high-‎speed internet coverage, equipping villages with electronic payment systems, and creating digital ‎platforms for marketing local products, is essential. In the agricultural sector, promoting ‎precision agriculture technologies and smart irrigation systems can enhance productivity. ‎Additionally, the formation of technology-based rural cooperatives and the development of e-‎tourism leveraging the region's natural attractions are recommended. Government support ‎through the approval of special financial facilities and tax exemptions for rural technology-based ‎businesses can also play an effective role in the sustainable development of these areas.‎
Keywords
Business, Technology, Innovation, Village, Grounded Theory.&lrm
Subjects
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Village and Space Sustainable Development
Volume 7, Issue 2 - Serial Number 26
Summer 2026
Pages 169-192

  • Receive Date 17 November 2025
  • Revise Date 04 January 2026
  • Accept Date 19 April 2026