Title: Identifying value hierarchies among indigenous women entrepreneurs in agriculture: a case of Iran

Authors: Kiumars Zarafshani, Marjan J. Gorgievski, Khadigeh Moradi

Addresses: Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. ' Department of Social and Organisational Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract: Personal value orientations were investigated among a sample of 60 rural indigenous women entrepreneurs in Iran, using the Schwartz Values Scale. The value dimensions were conformity, tradition, benevolence, universalism, self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, achievement, power, and security. Conformity was the value type rated most important, benevolence was second, security third, self-direction fourth, and universalism fifth. The five less important value types were, in order, tradition, stimulation, hedonism, achievement, and, power. Results imply that there are differences in values between indigenous and non-indigenous entrepreneurs. The paper concludes with practical and theoretical implications of the study|s findings and recommendations for future research.

Keywords: value hierarchies; agriculture; indigenous entrepreneurs; culture; Iran; women entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; non-indigenous entrepreneurs; Schwartz values.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2008.016625

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2008 Vol.2 No.2, pp.173 - 182

Published online: 11 Jan 2008 *

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