Iranian Scientific Fisheries Journal

fa مقاله علمی – پژوهشی:‌ شناسایی و اولویت‌بندی شاخص‌های عملکرد تعاونی‌های صیادی استان خوزستان Identification and prioritization of performance indicators for fisheries cooperatives in Khuzestan Province مديريت و حفاظت منابع آبي مديريت و حفاظت منابع آبي پژوهشي Research تعاونی‌های صیادی از رایج‌ترین تشکل‌های مردم‌نهاد فعال در نواحی ساحلی کشور هستند که عموماً برای تأمین احتیاجات شغلی و اقتصادی اعضای خود فعالیت می‌کنند. استان خوزستان همواره با ظرفیت‌های صیادی برجسته شناحته می‌شود. فعالیت بخش عمده‌ای از صیادان استان خوزستان به‌نحوی با تعاونی‌‌های صیادی در ارتباط است، پژوهش حاضر با هدف شناسایی و اولویت‌بندی مهم‌ترین شاخص‌های موثر در عملکرد شرکت‌های تعاونی‌ صیادی استان خوزستان طی سال‌های 1403-1401 انجام گرفته است. این پژوهش با بهره‌گیری از روش‌های مطالعاتی، مصاحبه محور (تکنیک دلفی) و توزیع پرسشنامه محقق ساخته در میان فعالان حوزه صیادی صورت گرفته است، روایی پرسشنامه براساس شیوه روایی‌سنجی محتوایی و پایایی گویه‌ها با آلفای کرونباخ 88/0 محرز گردید. خبرگان براساس روش نمونه‌گیری سیستماتیک خوشه‌ای گزینش شدند. مهم‌ترین عوامل گزینش، داشتن سابقه کار اجرائی-مدیریتی در بخش شیلات کشور، صنعت صید یا تعاونی‌های صیادی بود. جوامع آماری شامل دو گروه مجزای هیئت خبرگان و صیادان فعال تعاونی‌های صیادی بودند. تحلیل شاخص‌های عملکردی شناسایی شده با استفاده از مدل آماری (تحلیل عاملی تأییدی) انجام گرفت. براساس نتایج حاصل، شاخص‌های تبیین‌کننده عملکرد تعاونی‌های صیادی استان خوزستان به‌ترتیب اهمیت در قالب هفت عامل شامل مدیریت همه‌جانبه و پویا، سیاست‌گذاری‌های مدیریتی اجرائی و آموزشی، تأثیر اقتصادی بر عملکردهای اجتماعی، کنشگری در ارائه تسهیلات،کنشگری در تعاملات اجتماعی با اعضا و بخش‌های سرمایه‌گذار، کنشگری در ارائه خدمات زیربنایی و نظارت بر وضعیت صید تعریف شدند که در مجموع 2/62 درصد از تغییرات واریانس کل متغیرها را تبیین نمودند. بر اساس نتایج حاصله، بازنگری در شیوه‌های مدیریتی و افزایش نظارت بر وضعیت شغلی-اقتصادی فعالان تعاونی‌های صیادی می‌تواند به شکل معنی‌داری در بهبود عملکرد این تشکل‌ها تأثیرگذار باشد. اهتمام دستگاه‌های مسئول و متولی بر بهبود عملکرد و وضعیت این شرکت‌ها نیز باید با در نظرگرفتن عوامل استخراجی صورت پذیرد، زیرا عوامل مذکور دارای بیشترین تأثیر در وضعیت عملکردی این تعاونی‌ها خواهد بود. Introduction The fishing industry contributes significantly to global and national food production and economies. Fishing accounts for a substantial portion of global aquatic production (FAO, 2022), highlighting the importance of effective fishing management. In Iran, Khuzestan province, with its extensive coastline and abundant water resources, is a key player in the national fishing sector (Geological Survey and Mineral Explorations of Iran, 2016; Iran Fishing Organization, 2021). Fishery cooperatives, as non-governmental organizations, aim to improve the livelihoods of fishermen by providing various services, including access to resources, financial assistance, and professional support (Islamic Republic of Iran, 1971). However, the performance of these cooperatives varies, and understanding the factors that influence their effectiveness is crucial for policy-making and sustainable development (Olquner et al., 2015; Sari and Rahmayanti, 2022). Methodology This research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The initial exploratory phase involved in-depth interviews with 15 experts in the fishing sector, including managers of cooperatives, government officials, and researchers (Hsu and Sandford., 2007). These interviews, lasting approximately 40 minutes each, aimed to identify key performance indicators of fishing cooperatives. The experts were selected using a systematic cluster sampling method, based on their experience in the fishing sector, fishing industry, or fishing cooperatives (Acharya et al., 2013). A single-round Delphi technique was used to refine the identified indicators. Based on the interview data and a literature review, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was developed to assess the importance and prioritization of the identified performance indicators among the fishing community (Boateng et al., 2018). The questionnaire’s validity was assessed using content validity, and its reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient exceeding 0.8 (Taber, 2018). The target population comprised over 100,000 active fishermen in Khuzestan's coastal fishing cooperatives. A sample size of 384 was determined using the Krejcie-Morgan table, and the questionnaires were distributed across various fishing areas and wharves in the coastal cities of Khuzestan (Cochran, 1977). Results The interviews identified over 45 items representing performance indicators, categorized into four main groups: economic, social, managerial, and legal. These items were then used to develop the questionnaire. Statistical analysis, including the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test (0.858) and Bartlett's test of sphericity (3591.90, p < 0.001), confirmed the suitability of the data for factor analysis. Seven main factors were extracted, explaining 62.2% of the total variance. These factors, ranked by their eigenvalue variance, were: (1) multi-dimensional and dynamic management (24.26%), (2) managerial executive and educational policies (9.94%), (3) economic impact on social performance (8%), (4) activity in providing facilities (5.4%), (5) activity in social interactions with members and investors (4.85%), (6) activity in providing infrastructure services (4.27%), and (7) monitoring fishing status (3.48%). Discussion and conclusion The study revealed that multi-dimensional management is the most influential factor determining the performance of fishery cooperatives in Khuzestan, significantly outweighing the other six identified factors. This emphasizes the critical role of comprehensive management in overseeing various aspects of cooperative performance, including economic outcomes, resource allocation, environmental considerations, educational and cultural activities, policy development, and support from government institutions (Unal et al., 2011; Olquner et al., 2015). The influence of management on other performance aspects, especially economic performance, prioritization of available resources, environmental considerations, educational and cultural performance, the level of facilitating laws for fishing cooperatives, and the level of support from institutions, all reflect the undeniable importance of management as the most important indicator in explaining the performance of a cooperative-based organization in the fishing industry (Mahazril’aini et al., 2012). Educational and cultural activities, along with the provision of economic benefits to members (to improve social indicators), were identified as other crucial performance indicators. Training and awareness programs for both cooperative members and managers are essential for improving the effectiveness of these organizations (Unal et al., 2011). Implementing mandatory training courses for cooperative managers and organizing awareness programs for cooperative members regarding laws, regulations, best fishing practices, and interaction with cooperative management can significantly enhance their performance (Mahazril’aini et al., 2012). The study also highlighted several shortcomings and inefficiencies in the fishery cooperatives of southern Iran. Previous studies have shown that these organizations lack a significant impact on economic, social, cultural, and infrastructural development (Samian et al., 2017). This necessitates a focus on improving their performance. Iranian constitutional principles and development plans emphasize the importance of economic participation through the expansion of the cooperative and private sectors (Islamic Consultative Assembly, 2023). Economic pressures from declining fish stocks and reduced income, due to various factors such as government policies and environmental issues, affect social interactions between cooperatives and their members (Ilsovay et al., 2024). These shortcomings can discourage membership and increase the desire for career change, especially among younger generations (Unal et al., 2011). While the remaining four factors (providing facilities, social interactions, providing infrastructure, and monitoring fishing) were less influential than the top three, they are still important for overall performance. The level of welfare, economic, technical, and educational facilities provided by the cooperative, the influence of cooperative managers among investors, the cooperative's role in creating and maintaining fishing infrastructure, and the awareness of cooperative managers regarding catch volumes, income, and daily fishing challenges are all significant factors (Ghanbarzadeh et al., 2021). This study’s findings provide valuable guidance for understanding the functioning and priorities of fishery cooperatives in Khuzestan. They can be used for future research, performance evaluations, and policy-making. The fishermen participating in the study frequently expressed concerns about the management of their cooperatives, citing chronic infrastructure deficiencies and a lack of fundamental changes over the years. Periodic changes in the board of directors can promote management dynamism and introduce new ideas, which can help address these long-standing issues (Unal et al., 2011). Cooperative management should also balance economic interests and social objectives, avoiding becoming solely profit-oriented or simply focused on basic member needs (Dogarawa, 2010). Increased monitoring of the fishing industry and the working conditions, technical resources, infrastructure, and welfare of fishermen is necessary. The identification of key performance indicators can guide improvements by the government and relevant agencies. The presence of fishermen in cooperatives is beneficial, as cooperatives act as intermediaries between fishermen and the government, potentially increasing the attention of responsible institutions to the occupational and economic status of those working in the fishing industry (Anggrainie and Mardhatillah, 2024). Finally, based on the research results, it is recommended that relevant authorities, such as the Iran Fishing Organization and the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, take steps to address the challenges faced by fishermen, particularly by improving the management of Khuzestan's fishery cooperatives. These authorities should also focus on empowering these cooperatives to provide economic facilities, effective training, and awareness programs to the fishing community. By expanding executive and research programs in this area, the problems of coastal fishing communities in this important region of Iran can be alleviated. Acknowledgements This article is derived from project number 59314, dated 15 January 2024, conducted by Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology in collaboration with the Khuzestan Province Department of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare. The authors express their gratitude to the Department and the University for their support. دلفی, تعاونی صیادی, صنعت صیادی, شیلات, تحلیل عاملی, شاخص عملکرد Fisheries cooperative, fishing industry, fisheries, factor analysis, performance index 79 95 http://isfj.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2953-1&slc_lang=fa&sid=1 Poriya Zangeneh rezaie پوریا زنگنه رضایی poriyasilver@gmail.com 100319475328460040020 100319475328460040020 No Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Natural Resources, Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology دانشکده منابع‌طبیعی دریا، دانشگاه علوم و فنون دریایی خرمشهر، خرمشهر، ایران Mohammad Khosravizadeh محمد خسروی زاده mohamad.27kh@gmail.com 100319475328460040021 100319475328460040021 Yes Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Natural Resources, Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology دانشکده منابع‌طبیعی دریا، دانشگاه علوم و فنون دریایی خرمشهر، خرمشهر، ایران Nima Shiry نیما شیری nima.shiry@gmail.com 100319475328460040022 100319475328460040022 No Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Institute, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bandar Abbas, Iran پژوهشکده اکولوژی خلیج فارس و دریای عمان، مؤسسه‌ی تحقیقات علوم شیلاتی کشور، سازمان آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، بندرعباس، ایران Zahra Khoshnodifar زهرا خوشنودی‌فر khoshnodifz@gmail.com 100319475328460040023 100319475328460040023 No Assistant professor, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Markazi Province, Arak. Iran. بخش تحقیقات اقتصادی و اجتماعی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع‌طبیعی استان مرکزی، اراک، ایران Reza Abbaspour naderi رضا عباسپور نادری R_naderimail@yahoo.com 100319475328460040024 100319475328460040024 No Deputy of Fisheries Affairs, Iranian Fisheries Organization, Tehran, Iran گروه شیلات، معاونت دفتر امور صید شیلات ایران، سازمان شیلات ایران، تهران، ایران