Analyzing Agricultural Cooperatives Performance in Hamedan Province Based on Combined Evaluation Model

Abstract

The main purpose of this applied research was to assess and analyze the performance of agricultural cooperatives in Hamedan Province based on combined evaluation model. The research paradigm was mixed method (Qualitative and Quantitative) in some phases. In qualitative part of the research, Delphi technique was used in order to distinguish suitable indexes for assessing successful cooperatives. In this phase, 26 specialists were selected as purposive sampling. In quantitative phase of the research, a survey were used for assessing agricultural cooperatives based on defined indexes in last phase. A questionnaire were used as main tool in this phase. A sample of 86 managers of agricultural cooperatives were selected randomly. Assessing performance of agricultural cooperatives by TOPSIS method showed that for identifying successful agricultural cooperatives, six group of indexes such as economic, social, legal, managerial, educational and individual were needed. Based on TOPSIS results, cooperatives of Hamedan Township was in the first rank. After that, the cooperatives in Bahar and Toyserkan Township have second and third rank. The results also showed that the rank of Townships were different based on different indexes. There was not an appropriate distribution of facilities and opportunities in all Townships of the province

Keywords

• agricultural cooperative
• combined evaluation method
• performance analysis
• delphi method