Evaluation of strategies for developing the agriculture technology in the science and technology parks of Iran from faculty member aspect

Abstract

Technology can be developed through supportive policies, suitable rules, and efficient institutional structure. Science and technology parks have the necessary potential for the technology development. Regional varieties and different economical-social fields need different strategies to reach the new agriculture technologies. This study purpose is identifying strategies for developing the agriculture technology in the science and technology parks. Based on paradigm and objective, this study is quantitative and applicatory, respectively, which was carried out by correlation method. Statistical population of the study was 200 of faculty members of Tehran province's agriculture faculties; Using Cochran formula, 90 ones were estimated as sample size, and samples were selected by random sampling. Questionnaire was the main study tool; its validity and reliability were determined by the expert panel and Cronbach alpha coefficient (0.87), respectively. The most suitable strategies were developing the technology in universities, increasing the national investment in research and the development of higher educational centers, reinforcing the relation between government and industry, universities, and society, taking incentives into account for the active researches in the field of technology development and new products, and more financial supports for thesis to complete and commercializing the studies` results. Results of factor analysis showed that 6 factors, totally, explains about 83.9% of the variance related to the agriculture technology development strategies. These factors are development of technology –oriented studies (19.5%), development of infrastructures (17.34%), improvement of the policies and programs (16.83%) information and communications (13.32%), incentives and supports (13.32%), and technology transfer (7.41%). Key words: Technology, science and technology parks, strategies, factor analysis.