Introduction
The core issue addressed in this study is why, despite the vast developmental potential of rural areas in Marivan County as one of the key focal poles in the overarching spatial development of Kurdistan Province, the county still faces unfavorable rural development conditions. This problem is examined with an emphasis on the performance of village administrators (Dehyars) as local rural managers and the foremost leaders of the local community. They are expected to lay the groundwork for building a development-oriented rural community, where their effective performance is a fundamental requirement for transforming and regenerating the rural economy. Existing socio-economic deprivations in rural areas have redoubled villagers’ reliance on Dehyars as the primary interface with the public sector. However, reflecting the prevailing administrative culture in the country, the regional focus has largely remained confined to the physical-spatial functions of Dehyars, thereby marginalizing their transformative role in the rural economy through reductionist approaches and constrained expectations. Revitalizing and organizing the rural economic landscape of Marivan County critically depends on the performance of Dehyars as local leaders to provide the necessary conditions for building a development-driven community fueled by the drive for progress, innovation, and competitiveness, and grounded in collective participation free from cultural and social constraints.
Materials and Methods
The present study employs a descriptive-analytical approach with a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) design. The theoretical framework was developed through a review of documentary sources, while the empirical phase involved data collection via surveys (questionnaires and interviews). To identify the key factors influencing the economy-oriented performance of village administrators (Dehyars), a Delphi panel was purposefully formed, comprising village administrators, development officials, academic experts, and rural informants.
Results and Discussion
64 factors or inhibitors in the form of four main factors of weakness in planning, policy making, implementation, supervision and monitoring of the development process in the field of development management and inappropriate business environment in the villages of Marivan County in line with economic transformation; The low level of the capacities of the local community and the dominance of the peasant subculture; The low level of capacity development of villagers and the lack of sustainable financial resources in the field of support, support and economic transformation are the key factors affecting the inappropriate economic performance of villagers in the rural areas of Marivan County.
Conclusions
A review of the literature indicates that the present study aligns closely with existing scholarship by confirming fundamental managerial challenges. However, unlike most previous studies that focused on the general dimensions of rural management, this research reveals new dimensions by entering the realm of environmental-political risks. For instance, while prior research predominantly centered on internal dynamics between village administrations (Dehyaris) and local communities, the findings of this study introduce borderland realities as key deterrents by incorporating indicators such as securitized border management and the impact of macroeconomic volatility on the local business environment.
The weakness and incapacity in the economy-oriented performance of the rural villagers in the study area is due to the existence of weaknesses and inadequacies from the larger functional environments and the actors beyond the reach that have not been able to; provide the necessary fields and capacities in line with the rural-oriented economic performance. It should be understood that the rural-oriented economic performance is without the benefit of a larger development space and the benefit of management and development policy, the optimization of the business environment and It will not be possible to work and form a development-oriented society. Based on this, there is a need in the area of policy making and management of the development flow of the region, to review and modify the method and process of development policy from the stage of problem analysis and formulation of policies, and the method of implementation and monitoring has been changed and in accordance with the new approach and principles. Policymaking based on participatory and network policymaking and considering local complexities in the current situation and with a strategic view towards the future should be done. Adopting a doctrine and philosophical foundation of rural development and policy making and performance based on it is an urgent need of the development management of the region. Externals are also emphasized; It is suitable for the development environment of the rural areas of Marivan County, which has a suitable external opportunity in the form of border trade and the high-demand market of the Kurdistan region of Iraq with many social similarities.