Designing a Model of Sustainable Human Resource Development in Agricultural Extension and Education Organizations of Iran

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
A. Aghaee Malekabadi 1
A. R. Ommani 1
A. N. Noorivandi 1
M. S. Saburi 2
1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Islamic Republic of Iran.
10.22034/JAST.26.6.1177
Abstract
The aim of the research was to design a model that can be effective in the Development of Sustainable Human Resources (SHRD) in agricultural extension. In this sense, the research was divided into two parts: Grounded Theory (GT) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). In the qualitative part, semi structured and face-to-face interview and focus groups were held as part of GT, to create a conceptual model that reflects experts' perception of the effective factor on SHRD using MAXQDA software. In the second part, this model was tested for statistical significance and path correlations through the SEM method by using Smart PLS3 software. SHRD emerged as the axial phenomenon or core category. Legality and organizational commitment offered as the first priority of causal conditions affecting SHRD. Economic context offered a contextual condition. Other important categories linked to the core category was knowledge management and learning. Finally, strategies and consequences of SHRD were determined. The SEM analysis showed that causal conditions (β= 0.658), contextual conditions (β= 0.711) and intervening factors (β= 0.690) had a positive and significant effect on the SHRD. Also, based on the results, it can be concluded that contextual conditions (β= 0.658) and intervening factors (β= 0.701) have a positive and significant effect on SHRD strategies. Based on the results, it can be stated that 61% of the changes in the SHRD are explained by the independent variables of causal conditions, contextual conditions and intervening factors. The most important effect of this research is to provide a model that can improve the current situation by identifying the factors influencing SHRD in agricultural extension and education organizations and determining the effect of each factor.

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 26, Issue 6
November and December 2024
Pages 1177-1194