Design and Validation of a Community-Based Governance Model to Enhance the Value Chain of Medicinal Plants, Case Study: Delfan County

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

2 PhD in Sociology of Iranian Social Issues, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

10.22075/svcm.2025.39697.1067

Abstract

Background and Objective:
Integrating value chain development with community-based governance provides a solid foundation for achieving sustainable local development.
This research aimed to design a community-based governance model to enhance the value chain of medicinal plants in Delfan County.
Methods:
This applied study was conducted using a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 experts and key stakeholders, and the data were analyzed using MAXQDA software and content analysis coding. In the quantitative phase, 400 local beneficiaries were selected through stratified random sampling, and data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. Quantitative data analysis was performed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in SmartPLS software and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).

Findings:
Data analysis led to the identification of three key components: organized local participation, targeted government support, and the application of indigenous technology. Quantitative findings revealed that local participation had the greatest direct impact on the sustainability of the value chain (β = 0.76, p < 0.001). Targeted government support (β = 0.68, p < 0.01) and indigenous technology (β = 0.72, p < 0.001) also showed significant effects on strengthening the value chain. Based on AHP analysis, regional branding (weight 0.28) and cooperative empowerment (weight 0.23) were identified as the highest priority strategies. Finally, the final research model was designed and presented across three levels: institutional, production, and market.

Conclusion: The presented model serves as an indigenous and context-specific framework, integrating local knowledge with institutional support to provide a networked and participatory governance structure for the medicinal plant value chain. It is adaptable and generalizable to other similar regions in Iran.

Keywords

References

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Strategic Value Chain Management
Volume 3, Issue 1 - Serial Number 8
Research papers
In Progress
May 2026
Pages 129-154

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History

  • Receive Date: 13 November 2025
  • Revise Date: 24 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 21 December 2025
  • Publish Date: 21 April 2026

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