Assessing the amount of social capital and its effectiveness in promoting the economic opportunities of tourism entrepreneurship (Case study: Soltanieh-Gharktalehkhor villages)

Subject Areas : Rural and nomadic studies

Soraya Rafiei ¹ , rahmatollah monshizadeh ² , pegah moridsadat ³

1 - Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3 - department of geography and spatial analysis, faculty of earth science, Shahid Beheshti University

Received: 2021-09-03 Accepted : 2023-10-08 Published : 2025-02-19

Keywords: Social capital, Tourism Entrepreneurship, Prometheus Ranking Model,

Abstract :

Introduction: Social capital is one of the most important factors affecting tourism entrepreneurship, the existence of which, especially in rural areas, can have many effects on increasing jobs and businesses related to tourism.Objective of the research: Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the amount of social capital and its effectiveness in promoting the economic opportunities of tourism entrepreneurship in 11 villages located in the axis of communication between Soltanieh and Katlekhor Cave.Research Methodology: The type of applied research is the descriptive-analytical method used and documentary and field methods have been used to collect data. The statistical population of the study is the rural population living in 11 villages located in the axis of communication between Soltanieh and Katlekhor, which according to Cochran's formula, 322 people are considered as a sample. Statistical methods such as one-sample t-test, regression, Prometheus ranking model and path analysis were used to analyze the data.Geographical area of study: The studied villages are located in Khodabandeh city of Zanjan province, which is located in the southwest of the province, which is the most mountainous and highest region of this province. Also, this city has the largest rural population in the province.Findings and Discussion: The results of the study showed that the amount of social capital indicators in the studied villages is higher than the numerical desirability (3) and in this regard, the participation index with an average of 3.47 has the highest score. The results of regression also show a good correlation coefficient between variables and the network index with beta (0.365) percent had the highest impact on the economic opportunities of tourism entrepreneurship. Based on the results of path analysis, participation has the greatest impact on the economic opportunities of tourism entrepreneurship by calculating the overall impact (direct and indirect). Also, the results of the Promethean ranking model showed that the village of Zavajer is ranked first in terms of social capital and the village of Dalairsafli is ranked last.Results: Based on the findings of the study, the components of social capital can improve the economic opportunities of tourism entrepreneurship in the study area.