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One of the most important dimensions of cooperative systems, which have existed in Iran since 1974, is cooperative rural production enterprises. In this study, the performance of rural production cooperatives in Iran is examined in relation to the social capital components of the members. This study's statistical population consisted of 16,870 members from 41 cooperatives. 217 samples of cooperative members and 98 samples of the cooperative's management and board of directors were selected using the Cochran formula, and questionnaires were filled out for each group. The results showed that from the viewpoint of the members of rural cooperatives, the most important factor in improving the performance of cooperatives was the use of effective extension training (model-extension sites). The results also showed that members' satisfaction and training members of cooperatives can play an important role in improving the performance of cooperatives. The results of this research, while emphasizing the role of education (especially extension activities), can help rural development planners in improving the performance of rural cooperatives in their regions. [Display omitted] • The study identified the impacts of social capitals on the performance of rural production cooperatives. • The most important factor in improving the performance was the use the extension trainings. • Members' satisfaction and training play an important role in improving the performance. • The level of education in production cooperatives has a direct relationship with trust and satisfaction. • Cooperatives do not perform well in the fields of sales, marketing and insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of oil industry as one of the modern strategies to deal with poverty and unemployment along with activities such as agriculture and manufacturing industries in villages can be an important strategy for the development of village and prevention of rural migration to cities. The aim of this research was investigation of the effects of oil exploration on rural resident welfare (Lavan Island). The research was conducted in the form of a survey study. The population of the study included two sectors: the managers and rural residents in Lavan Island. The necessary data for this research were collected from by 135 (with the use of Cochran formula) rural residents in Lavan Island, they were sampled by using a random sampling method. The reliability of questionnaire was calculated by Cronbach Alpha coefficient for different sections after conducting a pilot study for each structure separately calculated: economic factor 0.96, social - 0.944, and culture - 0.928, respectively. The results of this research showed that the oil industry could improve the rural development process in rural areas: improve the employment, education, family relationship, and better access to water and electricity. The factor analysis results showed that the positive effects of oil industry development could be: economic, social, cultural, and physical factors. These four factors have explained 62% of total variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]