عبدالرضا رکن الدین افتخاری

Search for and gaining the meaning in life and attaining the perfection had been the primordial motive of human creation. The main reason for manifesting vacuum feelings in human is the crisis of lack of spirituality. Nowadays, human beings are seeking to mean of life and are searching for something more than materiality; because with the modern and advanced technology, the dissatisfaction with life and the sense of daily routine motivates him to discover the cause and the way out of the crisis. Understanding the meaning of life and obtaining satisfaction requires the use of spiritual intelligence and will not be achieved through rational and emotional intelligence solely. In this article, we studied the various dimensions of spiritual intelligence and presented the best model for spiritual intelligence. Then, according to the literature, the impact of tourism on the human was also studied. The results of the content analysis indicate that tourism and travel are effective factors in enhancing the components of spiritual intelligence and, as a result, the promotion of spiritual intelligence, and consequently they will increase the perception of spirituality in life.

Purpose- The inefficiency of rural development policy as a multidimensional phenomenon is due to various factors and causes. It has adverse outcomes in rural areas and in different dimensions of the territorial (spatial), organizational and intersectoral activities. Since the present study has practical purposes, the analysis of the effective factors, and analysis of the effects of each factor in the process of inefficiency of rural spatial policies in rural areas are considered. Design/Methodology/Approach - The strategic question is: “What are the factors affecting the ineffectiveness of the planning policy for rural development in Iran?” To answer the question, an analytical methodology based on Delphi tool and interpretive structural modeling have been used. In this regard, a library method (research background) and questionnaires and interviews (experts’ opinions of the National Planning and Budget Organization, and the Provincial Management and Planning Organization- 20 people) were used to collect information. Factors contributing to the inefficiency of planning policy for rural development in Iran were determined. In the next step, using Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM), the relationships between the factors affecting the ineffectiveness of the planning policy for rural development in Iran were specified and analyzed in a unified manner. Finally, using the MICMAC analysis, the types of variables are clustered according to the reciprocal influence on other variables . Findings- The results show that the factors of over-dependence on oil revenues, unstable rural development policy and centralized policy-making system, planning and decision making with the driving power of 16 have had the greatest influence and acts like the base of the model. In order to start and reform the structure of the rural development policy system in the country, it should be emphasized first. The factor of diversity, plurality, dispersion and underdevelopment of rural settlements with the driving power of 1 has the least influence.

Purpose:  In recent years, it has become more necessary to seek and apply new strategies to strengthen the foundations and diversification of economic activities in rural areas. Accordingly, in the context of the new theories of sustainable development, one of the approaches that is of great importance for the growth and sustainability of businesses in today's complex environments is branding. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to identify businesses with branding potential in Turkmen Sahara of Golestan province in Iran. The overwhelming limitations of product marketing are supporting the declining revenues of traditional sources in dealing with competitive markets as well as trying to expand, making available and identifying regional products with a branding approach Design/methodology/approach: In this study, we first identified and localized the branding indices and then identified the brand-liable products in the region using the Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method in multi-criteria decision making. Findings: The results showed that among the indicators of brand products in rural areas, satisfaction index with weight of 0.095 was put in the first place followed by adaptability with weight of 0.091, quality-orientation approach with a weight of 0.086 and valuable with a weight of 0.081. Also, among the common businesses and products in the region, cotton cultivation with a coefficient of 0.971 was the first priority followed by carpet weaving with a coefficient of 0.966, traditional foods with a coefficient of 0.952, Turkmen horse breeding with a coefficient of 0.943 and eco-tourism with a coefficient of 0.924 for planning the branding of products and services based on Brand Explanatory Indexes and using ARAS method. Practical implications: The study provides a perspective on the process of branding products and services in rural areas. Originality/value:  This paper makes two major contributions: first, the introduction of branding indicators for rural businesses, and second, applying decision making models in the process of branding products and services with brand potential in rural studies.