A Mixed‑Method Approach to Design an Entrepre‑neurial Behavior Development Model in Agricultural Cooperatives of Kermanshah Province, Iran

Abstract

The present study aimed to design a model for developing entrepreneurial behavior in agricultural cooperatives in Kermanshah province, employing an exploratory mixed-method approach. In the qualitative phase of the study, the participant team included all key individuals well-informed about entrepreneurship within the cooperatives of Kermanshah province. Thirty participants were selected using a snowball purposive sampling method. The statistical population for the quantitative phase included 530 managers and members of active agricultural cooperatives in Kermanshah province. Among them, 223 were selected using the stratified sampling method and Krejcie and Morgan's table. Data collected during the qualitative phase were analyzed using Nvivo8 software, resulting in the development of a grounded theory in the form of a conceptual model. During model analysis, research hypotheses were initially compiled and then assessed using the path analysis method in SPSS 23 and SmartPLS3 software. The findings from the qualitative phase, based on the grounded theory model, were categorized into six groups: Causative conditions (e.g., economic profits, personal incentives, etc.)Contextual conditions (e.g., cultural factors, diverse working areas, etc.)Intervening conditions (e.g., sanctions, market fluctuations, etc.)Phenomena (e.g., entrepreneurial behavior such as innovation, initiative in job tasks, etc.)Strategies (e.g., educational-promotional activities, keeping cooperatives up to date, etc.)Consequences (e.g., self-sufficiency in production, preventing cooperatives from depression, etc.).In the quantitative phase, the model emerging from the qualitative part was tested and ultimately approved. Based on the results, it is recommended that to foster entrepreneurial behavior in agricultural cooperatives, the research model be presented to cooperative members through training classes.